Money Tree Investing

Have you ever thought about getting rich with music royalties? Jon Gestal explains how music royalties function as an alternative investment and the complex ecosystem where songwriters, artists, publishers, and labels earn income from licensing, streaming, radio, and live performances. He shares how platforms like Royalty Exchange create liquidity by allowing creators to sell partial or full rights to those cash flows. Royalty streams vary in structure and stability, often following a lifecycle where earnings spike early and then settle into more predictable long-term income, making seasoned catalogs attractive for passive income investors seeking diversification from traditional markets. We discuss... Music royalties consist of multiple income streams, including performance, mechanical, and sound recording royalties. Artists earn money from a mix of royalties, live performances, advances, and synchronization deals like TV, movies, and commercials. Streaming platforms like Spotify pay royalties based on a share of revenue rather than a fixed rate per play. Music catalogs typically follow a lifecycle where earnings spike early and then decline into a more stable, predictable long-term cash flow. Older, "seasoned" catalogs tend to be more attractive to investors seeking consistent passive income. Investors can purchase royalties from individual songs, groups of songs, or entire catalogs depending on the seller's needs. The growth of global streaming and emerging markets continues to expand the overall music royalty pool. Technology and social media have changed how artists are discovered, but success remains just as difficult as before. Artists today have more independence and flexibility, reducing reliance on traditional record label deals. The conversation highlighted the increasing financialization of entertainment assets, including music, sports, and film. Fractional ownership allows smaller investors access to royalties but often reduces returns due to multiple layers of fees. "Vanity investing" and emotional attachment can influence decisions when investing in entertainment assets. Music royalties can serve as a diversification tool since they are largely uncorrelated with traditional financial markets. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management Marc Walton | Forex Mentor Pro Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/getting-rich-with-music-royalties-jon-gestal-806 

Today we talk the war impact on the US Economic cycle. Global uncertainty is distorting market behavior and the gap between perception and reality, particularly in areas like oil supply, emphasizes that prices, not narratives, are the most reliable signal. We explore rising oil prices, shifting interest rates, and a flattening yield curve, while stressing the importance of adapting investment theses as new information emerges rather than clinging to outdated views. We also talk sector performance, valuation concerns, global energy vulnerabilities, and how different economies are reacting to supply shocks. Investors cannot control external events but must remain flexible, focus on market signals, manage risk, and avoid emotional decision-making, especially in uncertain environments where sitting on the sidelines may be the most prudent strategy. We discuss...  Markets are currently being driven more by narratives, geopolitics, and sentiment than by traditional fundamentals. There is a significant disconnect between public perception and reality, especially in areas like global oil supply. Rising oil prices and war-related uncertainty are pushing inflation expectations and interest rates higher. The yield curve is flattening, signaling changing economic conditions and potential stress in lending and growth. Market price action is the most reliable indicator of truth, reflecting collective positioning and expectations. Many stocks are experiencing deeper drawdowns than headline indexes suggest, masking underlying weakness. Certain sectors like energy and value stocks are outperforming, while growth and tech are under pressure. Global energy disruptions are exposing the fragility of supply chains and impacting economies unevenly. Emerging markets and energy-dependent countries are feeling the effects of the crisis more quickly. Valuation concerns remain, particularly in high-multiple companies where earnings may not support prices. Historical data suggests Q1 performance does not strongly predict the rest of the year's market returns. Economic cycles influence which asset classes perform best, requiring shifts in portfolio allocation over time. War conditions disrupt normal market cycles, making traditional frameworks less reliable in the short term. Investors should prioritize risk management, flexibility, and avoiding emotional decision-making.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/war-impact-on-the-us-economic-cycle-805

Marc Walton shares his journey from running traditional businesses in the UK to working in forex trading. His investing work expands across forex, crypto, and global markets, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and recognizing market cycles. We talk how institutional players like Wall Street often manipulate narratives and markets, creating opportunities for informed investors who understand positioning and sentiment. Marc highlights key areas of opportunity he sees today, including gold and silver, rare earth metals, uranium, energy, and select crypto assets. We also explore skepticism around AI as a potential bubble similar to the dot-com era, debates its real-world utility versus hype, and how macro forces, politics, and investor psychology drive markets more than fundamentals. Success comes from staying flexible, thinking independently, managing risk, and aligning with larger market forces rather than trying to fight them. We discuss...  Marc Walton transitioned from running traditional UK businesses to full-time trading and investing across forex, crypto, and global markets. Early retirement led him to forex trading, where he initially lost money before finding success through mentorship and disciplined learning. A major wealth inflection point came from early crypto investments, particularly in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano. Wall Street firms frequently criticize assets like crypto publicly while quietly positioning to profit from them. Marc stresses the importance of taking profits and managing risk, especially in volatile assets like crypto. Energy demand, particularly driven by AI and electrification, is seen as a major long-term investment theme. Markets are increasingly driven by sentiment, politics, and liquidity rather than traditional fundamentals. Forex trading is described as complex but manageable if approached professionally rather than as gambling. Retail investors often struggle due to lack of financial education, discipline, and follow-through on investment decisions. Geopolitical factors, including China's control of rare earths, are shaping long-term investment opportunities. Speculative sectors like cannabis and high-yield ETFs were explored with caution around risk and sustainability. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Diana Perkins | Trading With Diana Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/forex-trading-marc-walton-804 

What is happening in the markets right now? Today we focus on how war, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting economic conditions are driving unusual market behavior. Markets are increasingly reacting to narratives, sentiment, and positioning rather than clear fundamentals. There is a repeating weekly pattern of short-term gains followed by declines, emphasizing that market reactions are the most reliable signal of truth amid widespread misinformation. Rising oil prices are fueling short-term inflation expectations and inflation may ultimately prove temporary unless conflict persists. We also talk structural shifts in markets, including weakening breadth, a transition from emotional reactions to repricing, pressure on technology stocks due to AI concerns, and a gradual move by consumers toward essentials. It's important to adapt your strategy to market regimes and use risk management, smaller position sizing, and cash for optionality. The current environment is a volatile, tactical market where active management, liquidity awareness, and flexibility are critical. We discuss...  Market reactions are the most reliable indicator of what information is actually meaningful. Rising oil prices are driving short-term inflation expectations through higher energy and transportation costs. Inflation may prove temporary if conflict resolves quickly, but could persist if disruptions last several months. Volatility remains elevated, but panic has faded as investors adjust positioning. Technology stocks are weakening due to concerns about AI disrupting traditional software business models. Market breadth is deteriorating, with fewer stocks supporting overall index performance. Consumers are shifting spending from discretionary items toward essential goods. Housing markets are stagnating, with high mortgage rates freezing transaction activity. Liquidity risks are building across sectors including private credit, commercial real estate, and banking. Geopolitics is now a primary market driver, impacting supply chains, energy, and global capital flows. Investors are experiencing narrative fatigue, becoming desensitized to headlines despite rising underlying risks. The current environment favors active, tactical investing over passive buy-and-hold strategies. Fundamentals are less reliable in the short term, with price action driven more by sentiment and positioning. Risk management, smaller position sizing, and quick decision-making are critical in volatile markets. Holding cash provides optionality and the ability to deploy capital during market dislocations. Options and technical trading strategies may offer opportunities in a high-volatility environment. Secular and cyclical market cycles require different approaches, with potential transition into a longer-term bear phase. Avoiding overleveraged assets and rate-sensitive sectors is key as financial conditions tighten.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/happening-in-the-markets-803 

Medicare madness solved! Join us as Sylvia Gordon demystifies retirement planning, explaining how Medicare and Social Security actually work, highlighting key age milestones and emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Descisions depend heavily on individual health, finances, and lifestyle goals. We break down Medicare's complex structure, contrasts private Medicare Advantage plans with traditional coverage, and explores common (and costly) misconceptions while also addressing broader systemic issues such as rising healthcare costs, doctor shortages, and policy uncertainty. Personalized planning is the most important thing you can do as there is no one-size-fits-all set up. Early education and understanding nuanced rules like spousal and ex-spousal Social Security benefits can help you avoid leaving money on the table. We discuss... Sylvia Gordon explained her background training insurance agents and simplifying retirement topics through short-form educational content. Many people misunderstand that taking Social Security early permanently reduces benefits and that Medicare does not begin at the same time. There is no universal "rule of thumb" for claiming Social Security, as decisions depend on the individuals goals. Medicare enrollment at 65 is optional if you continue working with qualifying employer coverage, which can prevent unnecessary costs. Prescription drug coverage now includes a capped out-of-pocket maximum, though costs have shifted for many users. Healthcare system challenges such as doctor shortages and low Medicare reimbursement rates were discussed as reasons providers limit Medicare patients. Rising healthcare costs and inefficiencies are major pressures on the long-term sustainability of retirement systems. Future changes to Social Security and Medicare are likely to include higher retirement ages and reduced benefits due to demographic trends. Policy changes are often phased in gradually to avoid political backlash and protect current retirees. The conversation explored potential reforms like lowering drug prices and reducing U.S. subsidization of global pharmaceutical costs. Medical tourism and international drug purchasing are discussed as cost-saving strategies not typically covered by Medicare. Medicare generally does not cover alternative or functional medicine, requiring out-of-pocket spending for those services. Incentives within healthcare, such as provider bonuses and system constraints, can influence treatment recommendations. Many retirees miss benefits or make suboptimal decisions due to lack of education and reluctance to discuss finances within families. Starting retirement planning in your 50s, and helping parents navigate the system, can improve outcomes and understanding. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/medicare-madness-solved-sylvia-gordon-802 

WAR… and no market crash… Are we in a bear market or a bull market? Rapidly shifting narratives, once centered on a soft landing, rate cuts, and strong consumers, have been disrupted by war, oil volatility, and weakening economic data, creating widespread uncertainty and "busted brackets" for investors. Markets are behaving irrationally, often reacting more to expectations and propaganda than clear fundamentals, making prediction unreliable and reinforcing the importance of scenario-based thinking rather than conviction. There will either be a quick end to the conflict that could drive lower oil, falling rates, and a rebound in bonds and staples, or a prolonged war leading to higher inflation, economic strain, and limited upside across most assets. With elevated correlations, fragile financial systems, and a stalled market that has gone largely sideways, traditional diversification may not provide protection. The key takeaway is caution and avoiding emotional decisions! As always, adaptability and risk management matter more than trying to predict outcomes in a highly unstable environment. We discuss... Markets are behaving like March Madness, with unpredictability, momentum shifts, and broken narratives replacing earlier optimism around a soft landing. Geopolitical conflict and unclear information flows are driving volatility, making it difficult to distinguish truth from market-moving narratives. The market appears to be pricing in a short-lived conflict, despite ongoing uncertainty and mixed signals. Traditional diversification is less reliable as correlations between stocks and bonds have increased in recent years. Energy has emerged as the primary outperformer, while most other sectors struggle amid rising costs and uncertainty. Financial system risks are building, particularly in private credit and banking exposure, signaling potential stress beneath the surface. Consumer strength is weakening as higher costs and debt begin to pressure spending behavior. Housing remains a major concern, with rising supply and weak demand due to elevated mortgage rates. Market movements often contradict headlines, reinforcing the need to observe price action rather than rely on media narratives. "Buy the dip" strategies are risky in uncertain or potentially bearish environments. Sitting in cash or staying defensive can be a strategic choice when market direction is unclear. Predictions from Wall Street are often overly optimistic and fail to account for downside risks. Volatility and confusion in markets are often the result of mispriced uncertainty rather than clear economic deterioration. Successful investing in this environment requires adaptability, patience, and disciplined risk management rather than bold predictions.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/war-and-no-market-crash-801 

Elliott Holland is back with us to help us explore today's investing landscape. We discuss concerns about illiquidity, continuation funds, and efforts to expand private equity access into retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, as those moves may be driven by a need for liquidity rather than investor benefit. We also talk how investor psychology, ego, and exclusivity often influence capital allocation, while experienced investors should focus instead on fundamentals like who has better information in a transaction and whether there are multiple ways to win in an investment. We dive into emerging areas like search funds, small business acquisitions, and roll-up strategies, highlighting both their potential and risks. There is importance to patience in investing, as technologies like AI may reshape research, decision-making, and competitive advantages for investors and business owners. We discuss... Whether private equity still deserves its reputation as producing the smartest investors and best returns in finance. Private equity returns have declined over the past decade and in many cases barely outperform the S&P 500. Mezzanine debt is highlighted as an alternative that has historically produced better returns with less risk and shorter lockups than private equity. Continuation funds and other mechanisms allow private equity firms to extend holding periods when they cannot find buyers. Some private equity firms are struggling with liquidity because they cannot exit deals at the valuations they promised investors. Illiquid investments with mediocre returns may not be worth the long lockup periods required. How exclusivity and the desire to invest alongside prestigious managers can lead investors to overlook fundamentals. How Wall Street often profits regardless of whether the underlying investments succeed. The Stanford model of funded search funds is historically producing strong reported returns. Increased competition for small business deals may be inflating prices and reducing returns. In some cases sellers may misrepresent financial performance to attract inexperienced buyers. Roll-ups can work when a larger buyer eventually acquires the combined platform at a premium valuation. Real estate is an example where multiple exit paths can justify accepting illiquidity. Periods of market stress often create the best opportunities for patient investors. Investors often regret not having enough capital ready during market downturns. The conversation also examines how smaller investors may have advantages over large institutions in finding niche deals. How new technologies and economic changes may create opportunities for the next generation of investors. AI is described as a productivity tool that can accelerate research and idea development, though AI outputs are not always reliable and require human judgment. Experienced professionals who combine domain knowledge with AI tools may gain a major advantage. Leaders should ensure someone within their organization is actively monitoring AI developments. Investors and entrepreneurs should stay curious, patient, and disciplined while adapting to changing markets and technologies. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management   Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/todays-investing-landscape-elliott-holland-800 

Private credit could be the next black swan and we're going to break it down for you. We also discuss the ongoing war and how geopolitical uncertainty is affecting financial markets, investor psychology, and economic conditions. Misinformation, AI-generated content, and media bias make it difficult to know what is actually happening amidst the "fog of war", which increases market uncertainty. Markets have reacted with volatility rather than a sharp crash, highlighting unexpected moves such as a stronger U.S. dollar, mixed performance across sectors, and spikes in oil prices that could fuel inflation. Risk management is of the upmost importance during uncertain periods and investors should reassess their theses, reduce exposure when necessary, and consider holding cash until clearer trends emerge. We also talk broader economic risks including rising credit balances, potential policy mistakes by central banks, and structural concerns in areas like private credit and financial sector exposure. We discuss...  The ongoing war has created uncertainty and a wide range of opinions about its political and economic implications. The S&P 500 has only modestly declined so far, suggesting markets have not fully priced in the potential risks. Traditional market expectations have been challenged, such as the U.S. dollar strengthening instead of weakening. Oil prices have spiked due to geopolitical tensions, raising concerns about inflation and broader economic impacts. Energy has been the strongest-performing sector while many other sectors have struggled. Risk management should come before return-seeking when uncertainty is high. Investors should not hesitate to move to cash when market conditions become unclear. Crowded trades in war-related assets like energy, defense, and gold could reverse if sentiment shifts. The potential for consumer stress is highlighted, including rising credit card balances and higher costs from energy prices. Rising mortgage rates are a factor that could freeze housing activity during the spring selling season. Geopolitical risk is increasingly being priced into markets after years of relative stability. The current environment may represent a shift away from the low-rate, liquidity-driven market regime of the past decade. Policy mistakes by governments or central banks could become a bigger risk than the war itself. There are potential risks in the private credit sector, particularly due to limited regulation and transparency. Private credit has replaced some traditional bank lending since the 2008 financial crisis. Redemption freezes in private credit funds could signal stress in the system. Patience, discipline, and careful portfolio management are essential during periods of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/the-next-black-swan-799 

Jade Miller is here to discuss the pros and cons of alternative investments. Jade shares her journey to becoming the CEO of the Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association (ADISA), her background in private markets, and ADISA's role in advocating for and expanding access to alternatives for financial advisors and investors. We explore the growing push to include alternative investments in 401(k) plans, investor misunderstanding, and potential regulatory challenges. We also talk the importance of thorough due diligence, common red flags, and the need for greater transparency from fund managers.  We discuss... Jade Miller discusses her background in private markets, primarily real estate, and her transition to becoming the first CEO of the ADISA. ADISA's mission is to advocate for alternative investments, provide education and due diligence standards, and connect financial advisors with alternative investment managers. The alternatives industry is shifting from limited access for wealthy investors toward broader availability, including potential inclusion in 401(k) retirement plans. Large institutional managers are likely to dominate 401(k) alternative offerings rather than smaller private fund sponsors. Liquidity constraints and fund structures such as interval and tender-offer funds will likely shape how alternatives are implemented inside retirement plans. Illiquid investments in retirement accounts can carry a higher risk of fraud or poor diligence because the capital is often locked up for long periods. Increased transparency and reporting expectations from investors are pushing alternative fund managers to provide more detailed disclosures. Financial advisors play a key role in helping investors assess alternative opportunities and navigate complex investment structures. Unrealistically high projected returns and lightly vetted crowdfunding deals can be major warning signs for investors. Real estate is highlighted as a foundational alternative asset due to its tangible nature, income potential, and long-term demand. Alternative investments can offer meaningful tax advantages, including depreciation benefits, opportunity zone incentives, and oil and gas deductions. Roth conversion strategies can sometimes be enhanced through private investments that temporarily reduce valuation during development stages. Investors and financial advisors who ignore alternative investments risk falling behind as the asset class becomes a larger part of diversified portfolios.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Marc Walton | Forex Mentor Pro Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast  

There's war in the middle east and there will be huge impacts on your portfolio! Today we talk about how war-related uncertainty and conflicting economic signals are creating unusual market behavior, making it difficult for investors to interpret short-term movements. Broad market declines across many asset classes can indicate de-leveraging rather than money simply rotating elsewhere, and geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, weakening job data, and potential stagflation risks are adding pressure to the economy. While some sector rotation into energy, commodities, and defensive assets is occurring, be wary that wartime conditions disrupt normal market trends, making strategies like "buying the dip" risky. Now is the time for risk management as preserving capital during periods of uncertainty is often more important than trying to time short-term market moves.  We discuss... How misinformation, AI-generated content, and limited reliable sources make it difficult to understand what is actually happening during geopolitical conflicts. How negative political messaging often backfires psychologically because the human brain tends to ignore the word "not" and focus on the core concept. The unusually volatile week in markets, where prices swung sharply day-to-day despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. Markets do not always react logically to major events like wars, with assets sometimes moving in unexpected directions. A key explanation for broad market declines was de-leveraging, where leveraged positions are unwound and excess liquidity effectively disappears from the system. Investors rarely know the full reasons behind short-term market movements because many institutional trades occur behind the scenes. "Buying the dip" works in bull markets but can lead to significant losses during bear markets or uncertain environments. During wartime conditions traditional market frameworks often break down, making predictions especially unreliable. Reduce risk exposure and avoid aggressive trades until geopolitical uncertainty becomes clearer. Recent economic data show job losses and rising unemployment, which adds pressure to an already fragile economic outlook. Capital is rotating into defensive areas such as energy, commodities, defense stocks, and gold. Market rotations are normal in healthy markets but can become distorted when geopolitical shocks occur. Holding cash can be a strategic decision during uncertain markets rather than a missed opportunity. How falling interest rates could eventually lower mortgage rates and trigger more activity in the housing market. Investors should focus on protecting capital and managing downside risk during periods of extreme uncertainty.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/investors-are-fleeing-into-this-sector-797 

Jose Mayora, author of Wall Street's Blind Spots, a new book about the realities of value investing in a market dominated by mega-cap growth stocks, explains that true value investing is not about low P/E ratios but about buying businesses at a meaningful discount to intrinsic value. He emphasizes disciplined, bottom-up research, geographic and sector diversification, and concentrated portfolios to uncover overlooked opportunities. We also explore the psychological challenges of investing through crashes and euphoric markets, the tension between patience and performance when managing other people's money, and the risks of over-investment.  We discuss...  Jose Mayora shares his background in investment banking, economics, earning the CFA, and co-founding DeVita Valley Growth Fund with a disciplined value-oriented philosophy. The discussion highlights how traditional value strategies have lagged during the dominance of mega-cap tech stocks, particularly the "Magnificent Seven," over the past decade. Mayora emphasizes that avoiding high-multiple stocks purely on valuation optics can cause investors to miss strong businesses compounding at high rates. The conversation underscores the importance of remaining impartial and avoiding confirmation bias from sell-side research, headlines, or popular narratives. Mayora argues that concentrated portfolios of 10–16 positions are more realistic for true value investing, as finding dozens of genuine bargains in expensive markets is unlikely. We examine how broad market crashes create opportunity because markets become indiscriminate, often punishing high-quality companies alongside weaker ones. Historical examples like Google during the 2008–2009 crisis illustrate how strong businesses temporarily trade at compelling valuations during downturns. The psychological challenge of buying low-quality "junk" stocks for sharper rebounds versus sticking with durable high-quality companies is debated. They discuss how long recoveries—such as after the dot-com crash—can test investor patience even when valuations are compelling. Mayora explains that maintaining close communication and philosophical alignment with investors helps navigate inevitable periods of underperformance. They debate missed opportunities in large-cap tech and the difficulty of staying disciplined when high-momentum stocks dominate returns. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Marc Walton | MarcWalton.com Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/wall-street-blind-spots-jose-mayora-796 

There is a sector rotation happening and today we're here to discuss it! We also touch on the sudden U.S. conflict with Iran as this is not the time to start reacting emotionally to early headlines, misinformation, and media fear cycles. Keep in mind historical market reactions to prior military strikes; while volatility typically spikes, equity drawdowns have historically been modest and short-lived unless oil supply or credit markets break down. We also highlight that markets are driven more by liquidity and capital flows than headlines and investors should focus on historical patterns, sector positioning, bond duration strategy, and risk management rather than panic, while closely watching oil prices, credit spreads, and bond yields for signs of deeper systemic stress.  We discuss... The concept of the "fog of war," warning listeners not to trust early reports, viral videos, or emotionally charged headlines. Media outlets monetize fear and that investors should avoid panic-driven decisions. Historical data from past U.S. military strikes was reviewed, showing that market drawdowns are typically modest and short-lived. Oil prices spiked on geopolitical risk, but the move was framed as a fear premium rather than confirmed supply disruption. The U.S. dollar was expected to strengthen in the short term as capital seeks safe-haven assets. Sector rotation was highlighted, with money moving out of mega-cap tech and into energy, materials, and defensive sectors. Utilities, staples, and healthcare were identified as traditional late-cycle or risk-off sectors. If capital exits large tech allocations, there are limited sectors large enough to absorb those flows without major price distortions. Bonds were presented as increasingly attractive if interest rates begin to decline. Long-duration bonds tend to benefit most when yields fall due to the inverse price-yield relationship. Lower mortgage rates were projected as a possibility, which could reignite housing demand but also drive home prices higher again. Markets are driven more by liquidity and money flows than by headlines or fundamentals alone. Investors should focus on second- and third-order effects rather than reacting to the immediate shock of war. Credit spreads, bond yields, and oil prices are key indicators to monitor for signs of systemic stress. Remain disciplined, historically grounded, and risk-aware rather than emotionally reactive.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/sector-rotation-795

The silver party is just beginning as precious metals expert David Morgan shares his journey from early fascination with silver coin debasement to becoming a long-time financial analyst focused on the silver market. Morgan argues that silver is widely misunderstood as merely speculative, emphasizing instead its critical industrial role in AI, EVs, solar, and advanced technologies amid a structural supply deficit and declining mine output. We explore alleged market manipulation through paper derivatives and "spoofing," the growing influence of physical demand over futures pricing, and why mining stocks may be significantly undervalued relative to rising silver prices. We also deep dive into Bitcoin's impact on precious metals demand, skepticism around crypto's "freedom" narrative, and broader reflections on monetary systems, inflation, and personal responsibility in navigating an uncertain financial future. We discuss... David shares how the removal of silver from U.S. coinage sparked his lifelong interest in sound money and finance. He argues silver is strategically indispensable due to rising industrial demand from AI, EVs, solar, and advanced technologies. Global silver supply has been flat to declining since 2016, creating a multi-year structural deficit. Most silver is produced as a byproduct of base metal mining, limiting the incentive to increase supply. David explains that silver trades largely as a paper derivatives market, which can suppress price discovery. Recent price spikes may signal a shift from paper-driven pricing to physical supply constraints in industrial bars. Retail investors have largely been selling into strength, while industrial demand has driven the latest rally. Mining stocks appear undervalued relative to higher silver prices, offering potential leverage to the upside. The discussion highlights how value investors and major funds may eventually rotate into precious metals equities. David suggests Bitcoin has evolved away from its original decentralization narrative and is now institutionally influenced. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Diana Perkins | Trading With Diana Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/the-silver-party-is-just-beginning-david-morgan-794 

Do you want to know investment success secrets? Look no further than today's discussion! The long-dominant "buy the Magnificent 7 and forget it" tech trade is fading, with sector rotation favoring energy, materials, and staples while technology and discretionary lag. Drawing on presidential cycle data, it seems markets often experience weakness and corrections in midterm years before potential strength later, though today's backdrop of sticky inflation, high debt, and constrained Federal Reserve policy could challenge historical norms. Liquidity over politics is the true market driver and power preservation incentives may shape fiscal and economic decisions and highlights opportunities in defensive sectors and fixed income if rates fall. As always, disciplined investing is the most important: avoid ego, abandon rigid outcome-based predictions, adopt scenario-based thinking, respect price action, and define in advance when you are wrong. We discuss... The long-standing strategy of simply buying mega-cap tech stocks is breaking down as sector leadership rotates. Energy, materials, and staples are outperforming while technology and discretionary stocks lag, signaling possible market-top behavior. Historical sector rotation patterns suggest markets may be transitioning from expansion toward a late-cycle phase. Midterm presidential years historically bring volatility and frequent 10–20% corrections before potential recovery. Liquidity is framed as the primary force driving market cycles. Today's environment of sticky inflation, high debt, and constrained Federal Reserve policy may weaken the reliability of historical patterns. Defensive sectors and fixed income could benefit if growth slows and interest rates decline. Political incentives around power preservation may influence fiscal decisions and economic optics heading into elections. Investors are warned not to blindly "buy the dip," especially in volatile assets like crypto. The hosts stress that price action ultimately determines whether an investment thesis is right or wrong. Ego and overconfidence are identified as major threats to long-term investing success. Outcome-based thinking is discouraged in favor of scenario-based planning across multiple probable outcomes. Behavioral research shows experts often double down when wrong, reinforcing the importance of flexibility. Successful investing requires humility, adaptability, risk management, and clearly defined exit strategies.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.cominvesting-success-secrets-793  

Tom Hoffman shares the Family Private Enterprise Model for business succession. As an attorney and CPA at Knox Law Firm, Tom discusses his 30+ years of experience in business succession, complex estate planning, and asset protection, focusing on how families can successfully transition businesses across generations. He explains that while most owners want to keep their companies in the family, few heirs are truly prepared to lead, making clarity of goals, fairness (not necessarily equality), and strong communication essential to preserving family harmony. Tom outlines common pitfalls such as forcing children into roles they don't want or failing to define objectives early. He also contrasts selling versus retaining the business, highlighting tax implications, the risks of dissipating liquid wealth, the role of family offices and trusts in preserving capital, and the broader community impact of keeping businesses local. We discuss... While about 70% of owners want to keep their business in the family, only 20–25% of children are typically prepared to lead it. Succession planning should start with clearly defining the family's goals rather than jumping straight into structural decisions. Fairness in dividing assets does not always mean equality, especially when some children work in the business and others do not. Lack of communication is the primary driver of family conflict during transitions. "Self-realization" conversations help family members come to their own conclusions about what is fair, preserving harmony. Outside consultants and counselors are often necessary when emotional, mental health, or substance issues complicate planning. Forcing children into leadership roles they do not want can create long-term personal and business damage. Hiring a professional outside CEO can dramatically improve performance and free the senior generation from daily operations. Professionalized management often increases EBITDA significantly and expands the pool of qualified leadership talent. Even if the business is eventually sold, building a strong management team substantially increases valuation. Family offices and multigenerational trusts can help preserve and strategically deploy large pools of liquid wealth. The "family private enterprise model" offers an alternative to selling by keeping ownership while professionalizing operations. Succession planning is a process that requires coaching, buy-in, and intentional cultural transition rather than a one-time transaction. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/family-private-enterprise-model-tom-hoffman-792 

The run is hot economy is here! Today we talk markets, and debunk alarmist headlines about rising Japanese bond yields. We also talk about a significant market rotation: expensive mega-cap tech stocks are faltering while capital flows into "boring" sectors like staples, industrials, energy, healthcare, and utilities, with international markets also outperforming. Watch out about chasing falling tech names or trying to pick bottoms in areas like crypto. Diversification is always the way to go so understand sentiment cycles and focus on where money is flowing rather than where it has already been. Successful investing is about discipline, context, and avoiding emotional decisions. We discuss... Japan's 10-year government bond yield rising from near 0% to over 2%, which has sparked global concern. Because most Japanese government debt is owned domestically—by the central bank and pensions—the systemic risk narrative may be exaggerated. Market headlines often amplify short-term moves without proper historical framing. A large percentage of U.S. stocks are trading at very high price-to-sales ratios, exceeding even dot-com-era levels in some measures. Companies like Apple have high valuations despite limited recent earnings growth, raising questions about sustainability. Rotations are normal cycles in markets, where leadership shifts rather than the entire market collapsing. Utilities and staples—traditionally "boring" sectors—have recently outperformed while software and high-beta tech stocks have sold off sharply. International markets, particularly emerging markets and Europe, have outperformed the U.S. year-to-date. Heavy AI-related capital expenditures announced by large tech firms may have contributed to investor concerns. We compare crypto cycles to past tech bubbles, noting that true bottoms often occur when sentiment disappears and investors stop paying attention. Focus on where capital is flowing now rather than chasing sectors based on past performance. Diversification, patience, and understanding market cycles are essential for long-term investing success. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/run-it-hot-economy-is-here-791 

New technology is coming soon and here is how to invest in the future! Inventor and investor Pablos Holman shares his journey from early computer hacking to co-founding Blue Origin, leading a prolific deep-tech lab, and now backing "mad scientists" building hard technologies beyond software. He believes Silicon Valley has over-indexed on easy software gains while neglecting transformative advances in hardware, energy, and real-world systems. He explains how breakthroughs in computation now let us model and simulate the physical world, from disease eradication to supply chains, marking a toolkit upgrade on par with the steam engine, while also wrestling with the social, regulatory, and human challenges that slow progress. We talk AI's real potential beyond chatbots, the urgent need to 10x global energy, decentralization vs. centralization in tech, the societal costs of social media, and even more! We discuss... Pablos Holman described his path from early computer hacking to founding deep-tech ventures like Blue Origin and running a VC fund focused on inventors building real-world, non-software technologies. Pablos framed technological progress as periodic "toolkit upgrades," comparing today's advances in computation and simulation to the impact of the steam engine. Modern computational models enable simulations of complex systems like disease spread, cities, and supply chains, dramatically improving decision-making. The conversation highlighted AI's true value as modeling the world while warning of over-centralization and privacy tradeoffs in the near term. Global energy scarcity is the real bottleneck to progress and peace, requiring a massive scale-up in clean, cheap energy. Nuclear power is the only viable path to global energy production and described new reactor designs nearing deployment. The discussion explored how regulatory and political systems, rather than technology itself, are often the biggest obstacles to innovation, especially in healthcare and energy. Pablos criticized social media for societal damage but argued the core issue is human responsibility and misuse rather than the technology itself. AI and crypto represent an open experimental phase where individuals can still influence outcomes before power consolidates. Pablos encouraged people to actively engage with and help build meaningful technologies instead of passively reacting to technological change. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Diana Perkins | Trading With Diana Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/how-to-invest-in-the-future-790 

Dump your tech because this sector is booming and we are going to tell you what it is! Today we talk the sharp risk-off shift across markets as recent selloffs in crypto, precious metals, and especially technology reflect excessive greed being unwound rather than a systemic collapse. This is not a buy-the-dip environment, and you shouldn't be chasing volatility-heavy assets like crypto and metals too early. We also highlight a clear rotation of liquidity away from growth and speculative assets into value-oriented, defensive sectors such as healthcare, consumer staples, industrials, utilities, energy, and select international stocks, as these boring, low-beta areas are sometimes outperforming amid tech weakness, layoffs, earnings disappointments, and rising macro uncertainty, making capital preservationn and patience more important than chasing rebounds. We discuss...  Markets are undergoing a clear risk-off rotation, with speculative assets like tech, crypto, and precious metals selling off after periods of extreme greed and overcrowded positioning. Precious metals remain in a long-term bull market but may require one to two years of consolidation before sustainably moving higher. Crypto's sharp drawdowns and volatility are described as a feature, not a flaw, but current volatility suggests it is not yet an attractive risk-reward entry. Capital is rotating into value and defensive sectors such as healthcare, consumer staples, utilities, energy, and industrials. Value stocks are outperforming growth stocks, marking a notable regime shift from the past decade's market leadership. Defensive, cash-flow-generating businesses are highlighted as portfolio stabilizers during periods of market stress. Weakening labor market data and rising layoffs are adding to macro uncertainty and undermining the soft-landing narrative. Correlations across risk assets are rising, reducing the diversification benefits of traditionally speculative assets like crypto. Market indices such as the NASDAQ are less reflective of pure tech weakness due to non-tech constituents providing offsetting support. Liquidity is described as moving like water, flowing out of stressed sectors and into areas showing relative strength. The January seasonal "risk-on" effect failed to materialize, suggesting macro forces are overpowering historical patterns. Short-term technical indicators show elevated volatility but not yet a definitive structural breakdown. Investors are encouraged to focus on where money is flowing rather than what looks cheap after a selloff. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/this-sector-is-booming-789 

Commercial real estate veteran Ben Reinberg shares how he uses hard assets and smart debt to strengthen his investing portfolio. He shares his journey from starting in his early 20s to building a national hard-asset portfolio across industrial, office, retail, multifamily, and medical real estate. We talk the importance of the "ability to hold" assets through cycles by avoiding over-leverage, maintaining reserves, and structuring smart debt. Ben outlines where commercial real estate sits in the current cycle, highlighting looming debt maturities, distressed opportunities, and the potential for attractive buying conditions over the next few years. We discuss... Ben Reinberg explains how he built wealth starting in his early 20s by focusing on hard assets, particularly commercial real estate, as a long-term strategy for cash flow and financial control. He emphasizes the importance of becoming a true expert in a specific asset class rather than spreading focus too broadly. He shares lessons from his first industrial deal, including managing tenant loss, repositioning assets, and creating value through active ownership. A central theme was the "ability to hold," meaning structuring investments to survive any market cycle without being forced to sell. He stressed using smart debt, avoiding over-leverage (generally keeping loan-to-value around 65%), and maintaining ample reserves. The discussion highlighted why medical office real estate is recession- and pandemic-resilient, with high tenant renewal rates and stable cash flow. Reinberg explained how inflation, tariffs, and rising costs affect tenants and property operations across different real estate sectors. The episode explored how real estate acts as an inflation hedge through rent growth, escalators, and long-term asset appreciation. They discussed the current commercial real estate downturn, driven by higher rates, falling values, and large amounts of debt coming due. Reinberg argued that the next few years may present some of the best commercial real estate buying opportunities in decades. He warned investors to be cautious, underwrite deals conservatively, and focus on tenant quality and market fundamentals. We have an optimistic outlook for 2026–2028, expecting lower rates, increased liquidity, more transactions, and improving economic stability. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/hard-assets-and-smart-debt-ben-reinberg-788 

Silver crashed! Today we focus on a historic bout of volatility in precious metals following months of extreme, unhealthy gains. We figure out if the selloff was driven by the announcement of a new Fed chair or severe technical overextension, crowded positioning that triggered profit-taking, shorting, and forced de-risking. We also talked the implications of a potentially growth-leaning but inflation-conscious Fed, ongoing structural risks like debt, deficits, and sticky inflation, and why monetary policy alone can't solve them. We reviewed the January market performance, and noticed strength in energy, materials, commodities, and international equities versus lagging tech and software. Markets are rotating regimes, not ending trends, and investors should focus on risk management, diversification, and long-term planning rather than reacting emotionally to short-term chaos. We discuss... We unpacked a historic spike in precious-metals volatility, with silver experiencing extreme, record-level swings after months of unsustainably rapid gains. The Fed chair news was described as a "match, not the bonfire," triggering a correction that was already statistically inevitable at extreme standard deviations. Volatility selling, options hedging, and large institutional short positioning likely amplified the downside move in silver. The gold-silver ratio had reached stretched levels, making a snapback or rebalancing between gold and silver unavoidable. Despite the violent correction, the broader precious-metals bull trend was viewed as intact rather than broken. Gold was described as healthier than silver due to steady institutional and central-bank buying. We covered how computers, systematic strategies, and risk managers now dominate market mechanics at volatility extremes. Rate cuts may come sooner than expected, but structural issues like debt, deficits, and sticky inflation remain unresolved. Markets so far reacted modestly outside of commodities, suggesting rotation rather than systemic stress. Energy and commodities were highlighted as key areas to watch in an inflation-sensitive environment. International equities significantly outperformed U.S. markets, reinforcing the case for global diversification. A small bank failure highlighted lingering credit and balance-sheet risks despite limited systemic impact. Midterm election seasonality was discussed as a potential source of higher volatility and uneven returns.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/silver-crashed-787