The Higher Standard

Wall Street has apparently reached a group chat consensus: 2026 only goes up. Every major strategist, from big banks to boutique shops, is lined up predicting another year of gains... because after a 90% rally off the 2022 lows, skepticism has officially been benched. Even lifelong bulls are starting to feel uneasy about the total absence of dissent, which historically isn’t exactly when you want everyone pounding the table at once. When pessimism disappears, risk doesn’t... it just gets 'mispriced.'➡️ Meanwhile, the macro backdrop looks oddly “perfect” on paper and deeply questionable underneath. GDP prints strong, inflation magically cools, housing costs flatline… except a government shutdown quietly forced the data to assume reality took a month off. Add in tariff distortions, election-year volatility, AI bubble anxiety, and a looming funding deadline in Washington, and suddenly the bullish narrative starts to wobble.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Every Wall Street Analyst Now Predicts a Stock Rally in 2026 (Bloomberg)The Stock Market Could Soar in 2026 as the Economy Booms Despite President Trump's Tariffs, According to Wall Street (The Motley Fool)Why This Stock Market Expert Says He’s ‘Cautious’ Heading Into 2026 (Investopedia)Clock ticking on government funding deadline as House battles other issues (The Hill)Inflation falls to 2.7% as slower housing and food increases offset a surge in electricity (NBC News)‘This is a wacky number’: economists cry foul as new government data assumes zero housing inflation in surprising November drop (Fortune)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

2025 didn’t hand out cheat codes... it handed out invoices. High interest rates stopped being an abstract headline and started showing up in monthly payments. Cash flow mattered more than net worth screenshots. Emergency funds went from “nice to have” to “you better have one.” And the illusion that buying a home, chasing trends, or riding hype automatically meant progress finally cracked. This wasn’t a year for predictions or gurus. It was a year that quietly punished bad assumptions and rewarded patience, discipline, and realism.➡️ In our final episode of the year, we strip the noise away and talk honestly about what actually worked, what didn’t, and why financial literacy is no longer optional if you want peace of mind. No forecasts, no sugarcoating, just hard-earned lessons about money, work, investing, and navigating a system that changed faster than most people were ready for. If 2025 taught us anything, it’s this: the rules didn’t disappear. They just stopped being forgiving.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:No homework this week kids.⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

If you’ve been feeling frustrated or gaslit about money lately, you’re not crazy, you’re paying attention. If you’re under 40, you lived through zero rates, asset inflation you couldn’t benefit from, a housing boom you were priced out of, and now the highest mortgage rates in decades. The Fed says “maybe one cut,” housing affordability is broken, and the old work hard, save, wait playbook just doesn’t work the way it used to. In this episode, we break down why the anger makes sense... and why it’s rooted in lived experience, not emotion.➡️ This isn’t a doom episode, it’s a pivot. We talk about where wealth is actually concentrating, why ownership matters more than ever, and what an investing framework looks like in this economy, not the one you were promised. No hopium, no gurus — just clarity. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Higher Standard, and thanks for riding with us this year. 🎄💰💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:The Fed sees one rate cut in 2026 (Chart of the Day via Instagram)A 4.6% unemployment rate (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram )The U.S Labor Market Has Stalled (The Kobeissi Letter via X)The Window Manifesto (Markets & Moonshots)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The Fed cut rates… again. And somehow mortgage rates said, “nah, we’re good.” This episode starts where most headlines stop—why markets stopped believing the Fed, why the 10-year Treasury is doing its own thing, and why this might be the last cut anyone feels confident about for a while. We say the quiet part out loud: inflation isn’t dead, liquidity is sneaking back in, and the bond market is signaling something policymakers don’t want to admit yet. Translation: the economy is being held together with optimism and FOMO.➡️ Then we zoom out to the part no spreadsheet can explain—why people feel broke, burned out, and behind even when they’re “doing everything right.” Layoffs are rising, AI is cutting jobs under the banner of “efficiency,” home prices are slipping, and yet everything still feels more expensive. We talk career minimalism, side hustles, and the realization hitting a lot of Americans: you’re the CEO of your household now, whether you asked for the job or not. The system didn’t break overnight—but it’s asking more from you than it’s giving back.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Fed Cuts Rates Again, Is Divided Over Future Moves (New York Times)Mortgage rates are surging ahead of the Fed’s expected rate cut. What gives? (Market Watch)Home prices go negative for the first time in over 2 years (CNBC)Where homes are losing value most (Axios)This year’s layoff total is now highest since the pandemic (Morning Brew via Instagram)HP to cut about 6,000 jobs by 2028, ramps up AI efforts (CNN Business)Why The ‘Career Minimalism’ Trend Is Spreading Beyond Gen Z (Forbes)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The boys are back, and this time Jerome Powell shows up looking like he just stepped off the set of Terminator: Rate Cut Salvation. In this episode, Chris, Saied and Rajeil break down why markets are foaming at the mouth for a policy pivot… while conveniently ignoring every economic signal flashing bright orange. From exploding rate-cut odds to the consumer tapping out like they’re on their ninth round of BNPL debt, this one’s a full-speed sprint through the chaos the mainstream financial world desperately pretends isn’t happening.➡️ Then we take a hard turn into the AI privacy nightmare no one seems ready for, and the kind of tech overreach that makes Skynet look spiritually grounded. You’ll hear why the job market looks strong on the surface but hollow underneath, how corporate America keeps skating by on vibes, and why the average investor is still totally unprepared for what’s coming. It’s sharp, it’s funny, it’s troubling... in other words, it’s The Higher Standard in peak form.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Why Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei spends so much time warning of AI's potential dangers (CBS News)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The melt-up economy isn’t a victory lap, it’s the part of the horror movie where everyone thinks the monster is gone because the music gets quiet. Markets keep ripping, consumers keep spending money they don’t have, and the Fed is out here pretending their “pivot” wasn’t telegraphed like an amateur magician revealing the trick before the reveal. And meanwhile, everyone’s acting shocked that AI is destroying jobs when we’ve been screaming for a year that replacing humans with silicon brains might come with a little collateral damage.➡️ But sure... recession? “What recession?” That’s the vibe. America is basically stress-shopping its way through warning signs big enough to put on billboards. Confidence surveys are collapsing, savings are gone, debt is exploding, and the only thing holding this whole Jenga tower up is hope… and hope is not a strategy we endorse. If a soft landing actually happens, it’ll be the first miracle the Fed has pulled off without breaking something in the process. Buckle up because the data says there is turbulence ahead, even if the captain keeps smiling.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Polymarket.comSpecial Edition: Economic Insight (Stifel)Mortgage rates dropped this week amid fresh signs of job market weakness (Yahoo! Finance)Beige Book - November 2025 (Federal Reserve)US consumer confidence tanks in November as Americans see more financial pain ahead (Yahoo! Finance)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

In this episode, Chris and Saied break down one of the strangest weeks in economic news we’ve ever covered: missing jobs data thanks to the government shutdown, a Fed that suddenly sounds like it forgot what “data-dependent” means, and a housing market showing cracks big enough to drive a mortgage banker through. From Zillow quietly admitting half of America’s home values slipped, to builders slashing prices at record levels, to foreclosures quietly creeping up while mortgage lock-ins freeze the market solid — the guys dig into why the “everything is fine” narrative just isn’t matching the numbers.➡️ But chaos wasn’t limited to housing. Billionaires started bailing on Nvidia like they saw the ending of the AI movie early, Michael Burry essentially rage-quit public filings, and Peter Thiel unloaded his entire stake while VC money keeps ping-ponging between the same five tech giants in the most incestuous loop imaginable. And because this is The Higher Standard, the episode somehow ends with a heated, physics-based debate about whether men should sit or stand when they pee — complete with splash-radius analysis, public-restroom trauma, and a shocking confession about portable butt-gaskets. Peak THS.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:The Fed raises alarm over 'deterioration' in the US housing market (Money Wise)More than half of US homes lost value in the past year (Yahoo! Finance)Home values always go up, right? (Nick Gerli via X)Bill Ackman to unveil plan for mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Fox Business)Peter Thiel's fund offloaded Nvidia stake in third quarter, filing shows (Reuters)Why some elite investors are turning on the darling of the AI rally (CNN Business)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

In this episode, Chris, Saied and Rajeil dive face-first into the chaos Washington left behind after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history — and surprise, surprise: the data we rely on to understand the economy might be "permanently broken." With CPI and jobs reports delayed, distorted, or potentially never released at all, the guys unpack what happens when policymakers, investors, and everyday Americans are flying blind. Add in whispers of shadow revisions, missing reports, and political spin, and suddenly “the data is fake” feels less like a meme and more like a macroeconomic red flag.➡️ But that’s not all. The job market is flashing warnings, the housing market is handing out 50-year mortgages like party favors, and the government’s “we’ll fix it later” approach is aging about as well as a warm gas station sushi roll. Chris and Saied strip away the noise, break down the numbers, and ask the uncomfortable questions no one else wants to touch. If you’re tired of sugar-coated narratives and want the real story behind the headlines, this episode is your financial reality check — delivered with the usual THS wit, skepticism, and a couple of perfectly timed eye rolls.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures slip as longest government shutdown in history nears end (Yahoo! Finance)Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram)Boston Fed's Collins: The bar for cutting rates further is 'relatively high,' sees holding for 'some time' (Yahoo! Finance)Bostic announces retirement amid Trump push for more influence over Fed (Reuters)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil dive head-first into the fiery mess that is America’s housing market. Where even 0% mortgage rates wouldn’t make homes affordable, and Buffett and Zillow are suddenly on the same side of the doomsday table. From the longest government shutdown in U.S. history to first-time homebuyers now averaging forty (because apparently adulting got delayed a decade), the guys break down why affordability has officially left the chat and how the “Zero Interest Rate Period” turned into the world’s most expensive hangover.➡️ Then it gets spicy... Michael Burry is back, betting billions against AI and the stock market like it’s 2008 all over again. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett quietly agrees the math no longer works, and The Higher Standard crew connect the dots between social frustration, rising socialism vibes, and a government that can’t even pay its own bills. Equal parts data, sarcasm, and therapy session — this one’s a masterclass in how to laugh through an economic meltdown.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:The US government shutdown (The Kobeissi Letter via X )US government shutdown enters 36th day to become longest in history (The Guardian)The profitability of investing in real estate has declined (Nick Gerli via X)US Median First-Time Homebuyer Age Now at Record-High of 40 (Bloomberg)Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Zillow say mortgage rates can’t fall enough for Americans to afford a home (Fortune)Housing market turnover is at a 30-year low amid real estate deep-freeze (Business Insider)'Big Short' Michael Burry bet against Palantir and Nvidia (Business Insider)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The Fed says it’s “flying blind,” but somehow keeps reaching for the autopilot. In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil break down the latest 25-basis-point rate cut and the confusing logic behind Jerome Powell’s “data-driven” decision-making... made without, well… the data. From the Beige Book to balance-sheet shrinkage (and yes, the jokes write themselves), the guys dissect how the Fed’s moves are shaping jobs, mortgages, and the markets. All while Powell looks like he’s literally in bed with A.I.➡️ Picture J.P. himself, post-press conference, lounging in a robe, cigarette in hand, with a grinning robot by his side. It’s the perfect metaphor for an economy seduced by artificial intelligence and easy money. Meanwhile the rest of us wonder who’s really in control. The team dives into the absurdity, the economics, and the existential dread of our new robot overlords, all with the wit, sarcasm, and brutal honesty only The Higher Standard can deliver.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Fed Cuts Rates by Another Quarter Point, but Future Cuts Are ‘Far From’ Certain (The Wall Street Journal)Repo and Reverse Repo Agreements (Federal Reserve Bank of New York)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The red flags are flying high... and no, we’re not talking about your ex. In this episode, Chris and Saied take a brutally honest look at the economic signals that everyone seems determined to ignore. (The Fighting Fijian, Rajeil was on leave for this episode.) From inflation’s sneaky comeback to the quiet unraveling of corporate debt, they break down the numbers, the narratives, and the nonsense behind America’s “everything is fine” façade. If you think the Fed has this under control, buckle up... because history says otherwise.➡️ But this isn’t your average doomscroll session. The guys go beyond the headlines to unpack how these warning signs actually affect you: your job, your mortgage, your portfolio, and your peace of mind. Expect laughs, data, and the kind of truth bombs only The Higher Standard delivers. It’s real talk about the economy without the jargon, hype, or 'hopium'... just a clear-eyed look at the meltdown we might already be living through.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Regional bank stocks are sliding again (EndGame Macro via X)The alleged ‘sweeping betrayal of trust’ that rocked Zions bank and spooked Wall Street (CNBC)More Americans are falling behind on their auto loan payments. Here's why. (CBS News)Percentage home price declines from their respective highs in prior years (Darth Powell via X)Gold climbs on rate-cut bets, broader uncertainty; investors eye US-China trade talks (Reuters)Disney Needs One Franchise To Return After Tron: Ares' Box Office Failure (Screen Rant)Why are many of the year’s buzziest films failing to make a profit at the box office? (Variety)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

When someone looks too good to be true online, they probably are! And we’re putting that theory to the test. In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil invite listeners to submit the Instagram handles of “professionals” who might just be full-time finessers in disguise. From fake real estate moguls to lifestyle coaches with mysteriously rented Lambos, the crew breaks down how to spot a scammer before your wallet does.➡️ But this isn’t just about calling out nonsense, it’s about teaching you how to separate the signal from the scam. The hosts dissect why so many people fall for polished frauds, the psychology of digital deception, and how clout has become the new currency of credibility. It’s part social experiment, part financial intervention, and fully hilarious.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:We don't link to scammers.⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Artificial Intelligence has gone off the rails, private equity’s running out of cash, and venture capital’s throwing billions at anything with a “A.I.” in the name... welcome to Episode 304. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil unpack how Sora 2.0 just erased the line between real and fake, how 41 stocks now make up nearly half the S&P 500, and why every startup pitch sounds like a bad ChatGPT prompt. Sprinkle in a dash of market concentration risk, a splash of FOMO-fueled insanity, and you’ve got a recipe for the next great bubble.➡️ But the gang doesn’t stop there. They dig into the dark side of private equity: the vintage funds running on fumes, the liquidity crunch nobody wants to admit, and what happens when inflated A.I. valuations meet leveraged balance sheets. Mix in a little immature humor, a few uncomfortable truths, and the kind of laughter that comes right before the crash, and you’ve got the brutally honest breakdown only The Higher Standard can deliver.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:How Much of the S&P 500 Is AI Related Stocks? (Jim Bianco via X)Venture capitalists have poured a record $192.7 billion into AI startups YTD (The Kobeissi Letter via X)Private equity in general is totally hosed (The All-In Podcast via X)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Everyone keeps talking about the “Great Wealth Transfer” like it’s some mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But here’s the reality: the rich aren’t exactly lining up to hand you their keys to the kingdom. Between tax loopholes, estate strategies, and the fact that most heirs are just as debt-happy as everyone else, the so-called wealth transfer looks more like a magician’s sleight of hand than a generational payday. Spoiler: if you’re waiting around for this miracle to hit your bank account, you’re going to be waiting a very long time.➡️ In this episode, Chris, Saied and Rajeil tear into the headlines, decode the market noise, and break down why the “great wealth transfer” narrative is just another shiny distraction. From volatility bets on Wall Street to the political circus surrounding a potential government shutdown, we cut through the hype with a mix of cold, hard facts and the occasional sarcasm that CNBC can’t deliver. 💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:US households have massive exposure to equities (The Kobeissi Letter via X)Renting is no longer just a stepping stone for young 20-somethings (Amy Nixon via X)The bottom 50% of U.S. households have historically had little exposure to stocks (Stock Market News via X)Rise of the ‘Accidental Landlords’ Is Bad News for Investors Who Bet Big on Rentals (The Wall Street Journal)By the end of Q4 2025, there will be more 6% mortgages than sub-3% mortgages (Nick Gerli via X)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The headlines are screaming “Housing Boom,” but we’re here to ask—boom for who? In episode 302 of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied cut through the CNBC hype, breaking down why those shiny new home sales numbers don’t tell the whole story. Spoiler: it’s not buyers suddenly feeling rich, it’s builders slashing prices and handing out incentives like Halloween candy. From Lennar’s margins getting crushed, to the wild affordability math that shows just how far we’ve drifted from reality, the housing market isn’t booming—it’s bargaining.➡️ But housing isn’t the only thing flashing red. Powell’s latest speech, a youth unemployment spike that should terrify policymakers, and the Buffett Indicator screaming “overvalued” louder than ever, all collide in one jam-packed week of economic chaos. Add in a record-breaking concentration of power in the Magnificent 7 stocks, and you’ve got a market that looks more like Vegas than Wall Street. No fluff, no sugarcoating—just the unfiltered breakdown you’ve come to expect from The Higher Standard.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:New home sales soar 20% in August to a three-year high (CNBC)2024 Fannie Mae home price affordability (Lance Lambert via X)Lennar’s gross margin on home sales (Lance Lambert via X )Lennar is showing you what has to happen in the housing market to drive sales (Nick Gerli via X)The two largest residential real estate brokerage are combining (Lance Lambert via X)Shocking stat of the day (The Kobeissi Letter via X)Buffett Indicator (Current Market Valuation)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The Fed finally pulled the trigger on its first rate cut of the year, but before you pop champagne, let’s ask the real question: who actually benefits? Wall Street’s partying like it’s 1999, the top 10% are still swiping cards like money grows on trees, and Jerome Powell is out here trying to convince everyone the house isn’t on fire. Meanwhile, middle-class families are staring down credit card bills, mortgages, and a job market that feels more like musical chairs with fewer chairs every month.➡️ We’re breaking down the “two-tier economy” McDonald’s CEO warned about, why mortgage refis just spiked harder than a college frat party, and how side hustles have gone from optional to survival gear for millions of Americans. This isn’t CNBC soundbites or sugar-coated headlines — it’s The Higher Standard, where we strip the spin, call out the nonsense, and give you the real story behind the Fed’s move.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for the first time this year (NBC News) The top 10% of income earners in the US now account for nearly half of all consumer spending, a record high (Charlie Bilello via X)Mortgage refinance demand spikes nearly 60%, as interest rates drop sharply (CNBC)Recession risk remains uncomfortably high (Mark Zandi via X)38% of Americans have taken on jobs to cover debts — how the rise of the reluctant hustler is rewiring careers (Money Wise)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Three hundred episodes in and the Fed is still the main character. In this milestone episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil dissect Jerome Powell’s latest balancing act — walking the tightrope between cooling inflation and keeping the jobs market afloat. The crew pulls apart the latest employment data, digging into what the numbers really say versus the spin you’re being sold.➡️ And just when you thought Wall Street was enough of a circus, Robinhood steps back into the spotlight with its latest moves — proving once again that retail trading isn’t just about apps and charts, it’s about influence and psychology. Episode 300 delivers exactly what you’d expect from The Higher Standard: sharp analysis, sarcasm that stings, and the kind of perspective you won’t get from the talking heads on TV.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/hLykI1👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:US judge temporarily blocks Trump from removing Fed Governor Cook (Reuters)Job Revisions and the Trump Economy (Wall Street Journal)Stagflation jitters grow after steepest jobs downgrade in decades (Yahoo! Finance)Stagflation: 5 signs that economy's worst-case scenario is inching closer (Business Insider)Robinhood Aims Social Platform at Reddit’s WallStreetBets (Bloomberg via Yahoo! Finance)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

This episode of The Higher Standard is a cocktail of Fed-watching, real talk, and the kind of banter only we can pull off. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil rip into the upcoming FOMC meeting, breaking down why a rate cut is basically baked in and why the real drama is all about Powell’s spin at the mic. We cover everything from nonfarm payroll revisions to bond market chess moves, and even take a detour into real estate Twitter beefs that prove “demand without affordability is not demand.” If you’ve ever wanted to know how politics, Wall Street, and your mortgage payment all collide in one giant economic soap opera, this one’s for you.➡️ But don’t get it twisted. We still find time to roast bad reviews, gossip about Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating strategy, and debate whether OnlyFans has an app (spoiler: it doesn’t). There’s merch talk, newsletter hacks, and the occasional foot fetish confession. By the time we wrap, you’ll know why Powell’s ties matter, why housing prices feel like Lamborghinis, and why episode 300 might just involve port wine, air mattresses, and regrettable decisions. Welcome to the number one financial literacy podcast in the world where economics meets entertainment, and we somehow make both make sense.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:FedWatch (Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group)Higher 'core' inflation reading unlikely to knock Fed off course for rate cut in September (Yahoo! Finance)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

We open light... Amex perks, Saks talk, and Chris’ infamous “no flip-flops” code—then slam straight into the heavy stuff: a President publicly leaning on the Fed to cut rates and targeting Governor Lisa Cook over mortgage-fraud allegations. Can a President remove a Fed official “for cause”? We unpack the precedent, the legal gray, and why Fed independenceactually matters. Plus, Powell’s Jackson Hole comments and how a few words swung rate-cut odds—and markets—fast.➡️ Then we zoom out: what politicized monetary policy means for investors, borrowers, and the election-year economy. Finally, a sharp turn into tech: Apple’s puzzling strategy (a thinner iPhone—really?) versus the real arms race—AI. We debate foldables, whether Apple will plug in third-party AI (ChatGPT or Google), and why the next big leap has to be usefulness, not just sleekness. Keywords you’ll care about: Trump vs the Fed, Lisa Cook, rate cuts, Jerome Powell, Jackson Hole, Apple, iPhone, AI.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Money grows on the tree of persistence. —Japanese proverb⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

When Trump tells a Fed governor to resign over “mortgage fraud,” you know it’s not about the mortgage. In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil peel back the layers on political theater, headline manipulation, and the not-so-subtle art of bullying the Fed. From LBJ literally grabbing his Fed chair by the lapels to Nixon strong-arming rates before an election, the crew shows how history repeats itself — only now, the stage is Twitter and Truth Social instead of Texas ranches and secret tapes.➡️ But this isn’t just about politics. It’s about how perception drives markets more than policy — and why mortgage fraud isn’t always the Wall Street-sized scandal it sounds like. The guys break down what “occupancy fraud” really means, why banks often look the other way, and how weaponizing technicalities against political opponents cheapens the entire system. Add in some comedy about red-eye flights, cream-cheese pretzels, and fried chicken ice cream, and you’ve got classic THS: irreverent, unfiltered, and just educational enough to make you dangerous at your next dinner party.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Fed governor Cook responds after President Trump says she 'must resign' (Yahoo! Finance)Fed Found Over 22,000 Mortgages Like Those Pulte Is Flagging (Bloomberg)What Is Mortgage Occupancy Fraud, the Claim Wielded by the Trump Administration? (Wall Street Journal)⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.