Claim OwnershipWatchdog on Wall Street with Chris Markowski
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Welcome to The Watchdog on Wall Street Podcast. Author, investment banker, consumer advocate, analyst, and trader Chris Markowski exposes the lies and myths of the big brokerage firms, the mainstream press, and the government. Chris explains the news coming out of the complex worlds of finance, economics and politics and the impact it will have on everyday Americans.
For more information, visit radioamerica.com/watchdog-on-wall-street/
For more information, visit radioamerica.com/watchdog-on-wall-street/
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Chris Markowski, the Watchdog of Wall Street, discusses the importance of financial education, the concept of anti-fragility, and the psychological biases that affect investors. He emphasizes the need for resilience and the ability to embrace challenges in order to achieve financial success. The discussion also covers the dangers of greed and materialism in investing, the significance of time horizons, and the ethical responsibilities of financial planners. Markowski advocates for goal-oriented financial preparation and the importance of understanding market dynamics to build wealth over time.
Chris Markowski discusses the importance of understanding financial truths, the risks associated with online trading platforms, and the flaws in conventional financial wisdom. He emphasizes the need for effective risk management and the dangers of leveraging investments. Markowski also warns about the prevalence of zombie companies and the importance of investing in great businesses for long-term success. The conversation highlights the significance of adapting to market dynamics and preparing for unexpected shocks in the financial landscape.
Chris Markowski discusses the pressing issues of inflation and its hidden impact on taxpayers, emphasizing the need for individuals to adapt their financial strategies to combat rising costs. He highlights the growing retirement crisis, urging listeners to rethink traditional retirement planning and to prioritize saving and investing wisely. The conversation also covers essential investing principles, including the importance of patience and the dangers of emotional decision-making in financial markets.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Every year, the media rolls out its “hot stocks” lists—and every year, they’re wrong. Yet the same voices come back with new predictions, new hype, and the same goal: separating you from your money. Before you buy into 2026’s latest stock picks, try a simple exercise—go back and see how last year’s predictions actually performed.This episode takes aim at the casino-style investing culture pushed by discount brokers like Robinhood, where trading is gamified, dopamine is engineered, and high-frequency traders profit while individual investors lose. Flashy platforms, Formula One metaphors, and nonstop alerts aren’t about helping you build wealth—they’re about getting you to trade more.Real wealth isn’t built on shortcuts, hot tips, or hype. It’s built with discipline, time, effort, and a solid financial foundation. Ignore that truth, and Wall Street is more than happy to take advantage of you.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featuredForget income tax, payroll tax, or property tax—the biggest tax Americans pay isn’t listed on any return. It’s inflation. Silent, hidden, and relentless, inflation erodes your purchasing power year after year while politicians celebrate more spending and more debt.In this episode, Chris breaks down why a dollar saved 30 years ago is worth barely half today, how constant borrowing and money printing quietly confiscates your wealth, and why the claim that “the deficit is down” means nothing when the national debt keeps exploding.This is why cash loses value, prices double over time, and why sitting still financially is a guaranteed losing strategy. Inflation isn’t an accident—it’s a stealth tax that most people never see coming. Understanding it is the first step to protecting yourself from it.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured CBS News’ decision to pull a planned 60 Minutes segment on an El Salvador prison housing Venezuelan migrants sparked instant outrage, speculation, and political spin from every direction. Some inside CBS called it censorship. Management said it was an editorial call. The truth is, right now, nobody outside the room actually knows.Instead of facts, the media and online commentary rushed to fill the void with certainty—proof once again that rage bait and tribal narratives matter more than restraint or honesty. In this episode, Chris makes a simple but unpopular case: it’s okay to say “I don’t know.”From journalism to investing to everyday life, pretending to have answers you don’t have is how people get misled. Real intelligence isn’t loud certainty—it’s knowing your limits, doing the work, and letting the facts come in before drawing conclusions.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Wall Street is running the same con—just with new packaging. As private equity investors demand their money back, fund managers are taking once-illiquid investments public, only to watch them crater far below their so-called “net asset value.” From BlueRock to FS Specialty Lending, the numbers don’t lie—investors were sold fantasy valuations to keep the music playing.At the same time, the SEC is quietly dismantling the few guardrails meant to protect everyday investors, scrapping the Global Research Analyst Settlement and reopening the door for analysts and investment bankers to collude like it’s the dot-com bubble all over again. Former regulators now admit what many warned about years ago: Wall Street research was never about truth—it was marketing.This is a hard warning to individual investors: don’t be the greater fool in a rigged game of musical chairs. Do your homework, question valuations, and remember—on Wall Street, you’re not the client, you’re the product.
Chris Markowski, the Watchdog on Wall Street, discusses various pressing issues affecting the financial landscape and society at large. He critiques the influence of big banks and Wall Street, examines the failures of the war on poverty in Appalachia, and addresses the challenges of immigration and assimilation. Markowski also delves into military preparedness in the face of global conflicts, the complexities surrounding gender identity and mental health, and economic insights regarding China and marijuana regulation. The conversation emphasizes the need for critical thinking and proactive solutions to these multifaceted problems.
Chris Markowski discusses the harsh realities of the financial world, the political landscape, and the societal norms that shape our understanding of economic issues. He emphasizes the need for honesty in political discourse, critiques the current administration's handling of economic policies, and explores the implications of government involvement in healthcare and business regulations. Markowski calls for a return to fundamental principles of financial freedom and accountability, urging listeners to recognize the importance of personal responsibility in navigating the complexities of the economy.
Chris Markowski discusses the current financial landscape, analyzing President Trump's recent speech and the promises made regarding economic recovery and inflation. He emphasizes the importance of accountability in leadership, fiscal responsibility, and the realities of wealth accumulation. The conversation also touches on the dangers of modern trading platforms and the need for sound financial advice.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Is the White House a personal canvas—or the people’s house? In this episode, Chris raises pointed questions about President Trump’s newly unveiled “Wall of Fame,” complete with bronze plaques and biting inscriptions aimed at past presidents. From the absence of President Biden’s portrait to the sharply worded commentary beneath it, the display blurs the line between historical record and political trolling. What’s the purpose of memorializing predecessors this way, and is it appropriate for a sitting president to remake a shared national space to settle scores? Even some allies are scratching their heads. This is less about partisan outrage and more about judgment, decorum, and what kind of legacy this kind of spectacle is meant to leave behind.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured The $1,776 “warrior dividend” sounds like new money for America’s service members—but it’s not. In this episode, Chris breaks down what’s really behind the $2.9 billion payout, drawing on reporting from Defense One to explain how the funds were reallocated from existing military housing allowances rather than generated by tariffs or new revenue. While supporting troops is non-negotiable, this shell game raises serious questions about Pentagon priorities, budgeting transparency, and whether short-term checks come at the expense of long-term support for military families. Before you celebrate the headline, here’s the reality behind the numbers.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Why should Americans keep paying taxes when billions are being siphoned off through fraud, waste, and abuse—and no one is held accountable? In this episode, Chris asks the uncomfortable but necessary question, pointing to staggering examples like billions lost to Medicaid and Medicare fraud, runaway Pentagon spending, and a political system that refuses to follow the money. From Washington’s culture of grift and lobbyist-driven spending to foreign aid and defense dollars flushed down the drain, this is a blunt look at why trust in government has collapsed. If taxes are meant to serve the public good, where exactly is the accountability—and why are taxpayers still being asked to foot the bill?
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured The headlines say inflation is cooling—but a closer look shows the data is full of holes. In this deep (and skeptical) dive into the latest CPI numbers, Chris breaks down why 2.7% inflation doesn’t match the reality Americans live every day. From manipulated BLS data and stagnant wages to the soaring cost of life’s bare necessities—food, insurance, housing, and energy—this episode challenges the conventional wisdom that 2% inflation is “success.” Why should the dollar lose value at all? Drawing on decades of experience and the economic views of Judy Shelton, Chris explains why zero inflation should be the goal, why debt and money printing are crushing future generations, and why Washington keeps kicking the can down the road.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Ahead of Trump’s speech, right-wing influencers worked themselves into a frenzy over rumors of a new war with Venezuela—treating the prospect of conflict as something to celebrate. In this commentary, Chris calls out the disturbing enthusiasm for sending young Americans to fight and die, the hypocrisy of self-proclaimed Christian values, and America’s endless addiction to “wars” we never seem to win. From Afghanistan to the so-called wars on terror, drugs, and poverty, the lesson is clear: we were promised restraint, not reckless escalation. The question is simple—when will we finally stop cheering for war?
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Staying up late paid off—this was a different kind of Trump speech. No teleprompter, fewer crowd-pleasing riffs, and a noticeable shift in tone toward acknowledging real economic problems. Yes, there were inaccuracies and familiar exaggerations, but this time the speech was lighter on gimmicks and heavier on responsibility. Using Jingle All the Way as a metaphor, this episode digs into leadership, credibility, and the danger of making promises you can’t—or won’t—keep. Is this the beginning of a long-overdue pivot, or just a brief pause in the performance? The midterms, inflation, and voter patience will decide.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Target-date funds are sold as the easy, worry-free choice for 401(k) investors—but that simplicity is disappearing fast. As Jason Zweig warns in the Wall Street Journal, Wall Street has a habit of taking elegant ideas and burying them under fees, complexity, and opaque strategies. In this episode, Chris explains why target-date funds have always been problematic, how over-diversification and mediocre performance leave investors just treading water, and why “alternatives” are likely the next thing quietly stuffed into these portfolios. If you think you’re safely set it and forgetting it, you may actually be volunteering to be the last buyer in Wall Street’s game of musical chairs.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured A heartbreaking Wall Street Journal report from McDowell County, West Virginia exposes the limits—and unintended consequences—of decades of anti-poverty programs. Billions in federal spending, from welfare to Medicare and Medicaid, have failed to revive a county that’s lost nearly 70% of its population. Instead, dependency has replaced aspiration, and entire towns are fading away. In this episode, Chris revisits Appalachia, the legacy of LBJ’s Great Society, and the harsh reality of economic decline. Drawing on Joseph Schumpeter’s “creative destruction” and a blunt insight from comedian Sam Kinison, we ask the uncomfortable question: would it be better to help people move to opportunity rather than endlessly pouring money into places with no future—and even return some areas to nature?
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Washington keeps insisting that rate cuts will make housing affordable—but reality says otherwise. Despite the Fed lowering rates yet again, mortgage rates climbed, applications dropped nearly 4%, and the average 30-year fixed hit 6.38%. In this episode, Chris breaks down why the Fed doesn’t actually control mortgage rates, how $38+ trillion in debt and reckless fiscal policy are keeping borrowing costs high, and why empty political pressure won’t fix the problem. Until Congress gets serious about budgets, debt, and fiscal discipline, expect higher rates—and more broken promises on affordability.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured As the president prepares to address the nation, the economic reality facing everyday Americans is stark—and the polling reflects it. With economic approval hovering in the mid-30s and affordability still squeezing households, this episode cuts through the spin to examine why voters remain unhappy. From a mediocre jobs market and rising youth unemployment to AI-driven layoffs and tariff policies that raise manufacturing costs, the challenges are real and measurable. The message is simple: gimmicks won’t fix this. Acknowledging the problem and pivoting toward policies that actually bring prices down may be the only way forward—politically and economically.
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it's fun listening to someone who isn't full of shit, I can't watch the news or listen to much of talk radio anymore. thanks Chris, love you man!
m f2f k bbc.co finds . find v v v
always worth listening to....I am 48 & though I've been around the block a time or two, i always feel alittle smarter having listened to you... thanks Chris, for explaining how the world works