The Federal Reserve is entering a pivotal phase, and the decisions it makes now will define the next era of monetary policy. Lance Roberts and The Fed Guy, Joseph Wang, examine the structural forces putting the Fed at a crossroads—from rate cuts and shifting labor-market dynamics to the long-term impact of AI, tariff-driven inflation, and changes in the Fed's balance-sheet strategy. We explore why markets appear bullish on economic growth despite weakening employment data, how tariff inflation may be a one-time impulse, and what a redesigned policy framework could look like as banks, regulators, and political leaders debate the Fed's future role. If you want a grounded assessment of where monetary policy is heading and how structural changes could reshape markets, this episode provides the context investors need. 0:00 - INTRO 1:07 - Fed Rate Cuts & Commentary 5:37 - Markets Are Bullish About Economic Growth vs Employment Data; Tariff Inflation? One-Time Impact 7:59 - Labor Market Commentary 8:56 - Impact of AI? Double-checking the bot; building data centers; 11:25 - How will the Fed respond to AI impact on labor market? 12:47 - The Shift in Fed Policy - Ben Bernanke: Boosting asset prices to improve consumer mood 15:28 - The Fed is at a crossroads in its role - a smaller Fed balance sheet? 18:00 - Fed to de-regulate commercial banks (supplementary leverage ratio) so they can take over Fed's role? 20:16 - Is the Fox in the henhouse? 21:42 - How to unwind Fed balance sheet? 23:27 - Fed to Purchase $40-B in Bonds - not QE? 24:55 - QE vs Reserve Management Purchase 27:13 - Never Going back to Zero Interest Rates? 28:48 - Government Bond Rollover coming - will banks manage? 31:54 - Administrative make up of the future Fed - Kevin Hassett? - How Low will Rates Go; would low rates help with affordability; will the Fed Become more Trump-dominated? 38:34 - What is the risk from lower rates? 41:09 - Changes in the way we operate - the past is not the future. Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Joseph Wang, CIO, The Fed Guy Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/uv88L9zT4Ok?feature=share ------- Our Previous show, "Dollar Power, AI, & The New Financial Order," is here: https://youtube.com/live/QYUME1I-SDg?feature=share ------- REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:" https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator ------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #FederalReserve #MonetaryPolicy #InterestRates #MarketOutlook #AIEconomy #JosephWang #TheFedGuy