Don returns from a exhausting, comedy-of-errors flight to discuss how the markets pulled an equally wild round trip—plunging, then rebounding to the tune of $8 trillion. He and Tom break down the April stock and bond tantrum, laugh off predictions of recession, and offer practical guidance for scared investors, risk-takers, and those tempted by annuities. Listener questions cover mortgages vs. investing, the role of fixed annuities, and a touching thank-you from a longtime fan who retired well thanks to Don’s early radio shows. Oh, and Tom’s now YouTube famous. Just ask his grandkids.

0:04 Don’s cursed travel story: jet lag, delays, and onboard medical drama
1:28 Welcome back—Tom’s model aircraft museum returns
2:48 Market rewind: sharp drop and $8T rebound
3:55 April 8 market bottom; temper tantrum or bear tease?
4:40 CNN Fear & Greed Index: from panic to euphoria in weeks
6:27 Fan mail: “Planes, Trains & Cryptocurrency” and Tesla hate from a Lyft driver
7:43 Don’s Broadway singalong graduation trip to NYC
9:01 Recession odds fall fast—tariffs rise faster
11:27 Tom calls out the mayor’s interest rate prediction logic
13:01 Check your 401(k)? Maybe don’t—unless you’re learning your risk tolerance
14:10 Don’s “Tune Out the Noise” video hits 10+ million views
16:43 Listener challenge: Why bash Fidelity annuities?
18:47 Don’s CD ladder vs. annuities—why he prefers federal over contractual guarantees
20:10 Even “no load” annuities can be slippery—careful with the fine print
21:51 TRM hits 1,648 episodes (and counting)
22:44 Listener Bruce: From broke in 1989 to comfortably retired, thanks to Don
24:17 Remember load funds? Why no-loads and ETFs rule now
25:59 American Funds' ETF pivot: lipstick on a mutual fund
28:36 Listener question: Invest inheritance or pay off 6.6% mortgage?
33:10 Roth IRA strategy, liquidity concerns, and investing at age 35
36:17 Graduation singers belt Sinatra’s “New York, New York” at Radio City
38:21 Reminder: Free portfolio help at TalkingRealMoney.com
39:53 End-of-show degeneracy: full monty jokes, sensitivity training, and accidental innuendo

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