The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas

Wall Street has changed dramatically over the past four decades. Investing is now more accessible than ever, but navigating the markets comes with its own challenges. What can today's investors learn from the old Wall Street? This week on The Important Part, Guy Adami, host of Fast Money Five and co-founder of RiskReversal Media, joins Liz Thomas to reflect on the investing lessons he's learned throughout his decades on Wall Street. From trading commodities in the 1980s to becoming a familiar face on financial television, Guy shares his perspective on how Wall Street has evolved and what separates successful traders from the rest. Guy explains why managing emotions is essential to navigating the markets and why he believes it's difficult to be both a trader and a long-term investor. He also reflects on how technology and financial media have reshaped Wall Street, making investing more accessible while introducing new challenges for everyday investors. The conversation then shifts to building wealth over time, particularly for younger investors who feel financially behind. Guy shares why he believes patience and discipline matter more than chasing quick returns, while he and Liz reflect on the importance of learning from mistakes and knowing when to take risks. The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas is a video podcast covering investing, markets, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and the biggest stories shaping investors today. About SoFi®: A finance company that could help you get ahead. Get Your Money Right® with SoFi. Additional resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ©2026 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

At the beginning of the century, the U.S. was on track to pay off its federal debt. Today, that debt has surpassed $40 trillion, with annual interest payments exceeding the defense budget. As the debt continues to grow, concerns are mounting over its long-term impact on the economy and everyday Americans. This week on The Important Part, Marc Goldwein, Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins Liz Thomas to unpack America's growing national debt. Marc explains how decades of fiscal policy decisions and an aging population have contributed to the problem, and why the debt-to-GDP ratio may be more important than the headline number. Liz and Marc discuss how rising debt could affect everyday Americans, from borrowing costs to long-term economic growth. Marc explains why he believes the U.S. could be entering the early stages of a debt spiral and shares his concerns about what could happen if the government fails to act. He also outlines potential solutions, including his proposed reforms to Social Security and ways to address federal spending. The discussion then shifts to financial markets, where Liz examines the relationship between rising Treasury yields and the national debt. Marc offers his perspective on the risks facing the Treasury market, while Liz considers what growing debt could mean for investors and whether policymakers can address the problem before it becomes a larger crisis. The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas is a video podcast covering investing, markets, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and the biggest stories shaping investors today. About SoFi®: A finance company that could help you get ahead. Get Your Money Right® with SoFi. Additional resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ©2026 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The American Dream used to feel within reach. But with rising housing costs and an uncertain job market, younger generations are questioning what financial success looks like and whether the traditional path still makes sense. This week on The Important Part, financial educator and In This Economy? How Money & Markets Really Work author Kyla Scanlon joins Liz Thomas to discuss how younger generations are redefining the American Dream. Kyla shares why she believes today's economy increasingly rewards asset ownership and what that means for people trying to build wealth. Liz and Kyla also explore the growing divide in how young people approach money. Kyla shares her observations on why some are investing early with the goal of building financial security, while others are turning to riskier opportunities like prediction markets. She also explains the thinking behind the “little treat economy” and how the rising cost of homeownership may be reshaping attitudes toward saving. The discussion then shifts to artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the workforce. Kyla shares her concerns about the investment fueling the AI boom, while Liz examines whether the technology has reached its peak of inflated expectations. The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas is a video podcast covering investing, markets, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and the biggest stories shaping investors today. About SoFi®: A finance company that could help you get ahead. Get Your Money Right® with SoFi. Additional resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ©2026 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How does your relationship with risk affect the way you invest? Emma Grede and investor Rebecca Patterson join Liz Thomas to talk about money, risk-taking, and the experiences that shape the investors we become. Recorded live from SoFi’s first-ever Smart Money Social Club, entrepreneur Emma Grede and globally recognized investor Rebecca Patterson join Liz Thomas for a candid conversation about how taking risks can shape your relationship with money and investing. Emma shares how growing up in a working-class household shaped her relationship with money and why being underpaid and undervalued ultimately pushed her to start her first business at 24. Rebecca reflects on building a career in finance while still having to learn how to manage and invest her own money. She explains how years of investing professionally changed the way she thinks about risk in her own portfolio — and why getting started earlier can make such a meaningful difference over time. Liz also introduces SoFi’s Investor Personality Quiz, which looks at how you approach risk and make financial decisions. Emma considers herself a risk seeker. Rebecca lands closer to the middle. And both reveal how their own experiences have shaped the way they invest. So, what’s your Investing Personality? Take SoFi’s Investor Personality Quiz to explore how your natural tendencies may influence the way you make investing decisions: https://www.sofi.com/invest/investor-personality-quiz/  The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas is a video podcast covering investing, markets, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and the biggest stories shaping investors today. About SoFi®: A finance company that could help you get ahead. Get Your Money Right® with SoFi. Additional resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ©2026 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity on both sides of the fight. As AI becomes more powerful, it may be giving hackers new ways to exploit weaknesses faster than companies can fix them. On this episode of The Important Part, Boaz Gelbord, Chief Security Officer at Akamai Technologies, joins Liz Thomas to share his perspective on how AI is reshaping cybersecurity and why he believes businesses may be entering a more vulnerable period. Liz explores with Boaz how individuals can better safeguard their personal information as cyber threats become more sophisticated. Boaz also explains how he thinks companies should approach protecting critical systems as AI introduces new challenges for cybersecurity teams. The conversation turns to the thousands of cybersecurity vendors competing in the market, as Boaz discusses where he thinks the industry is headed and what could set certain companies apart. Liz and Boaz also examine what the sector’s growth could mean for investors. As AI takes on a larger role in cybersecurity, what could separate the companies that stand out from the rest? The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas is a video podcast covering investing, markets, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and the biggest stories shaping investors today. About SoFi®: A finance company that could help you get ahead. Get Your Money Right® with SoFi. Additional resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On The Money⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Sign up for SoFi's newsletter for intel, insights, and inspo to help you get your money right. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Investing 101 Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: At SoFi, we believe investing is for everyone — which is why we’ve created a hub with info for beginners and experts alike. Start exploring to get investment education, advice, resources, and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wealth Investing Guide⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Information you need to know to make your money work harder for you. This podcast should be used for informational purposes only and not deemed as a recommendation. Our Automated investing is via SoFi Wealth LLC, and is a registered investment advisor. Our Active investing is via SoFi securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest® platforms, please visit www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SoFi.com/Legal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ©2026 Social Finance, Inc. All Rights Reserved.