Cents of Security host Mary MacNamara digs into why disaster losses keep breaking records—even when many hazards aren’t skyrocketing—with Patrick Brown, Head of Climate Analytics, at Interactive Brokers. They break down the disaster-risk equation (hazard × exposure × vulnerability), the “expanding bullseye” effect, why mortality from extreme events has fallen, and where adaptation and smarter zoning can move the needle.

This episode drills into holiday spending trends, sector winners and losers, and explains the “January effect. Plus, practical tips for smarter budgeting and investing as we head into the new year.

Jose Torres explains why the Fed’s short‑end move and easing mortgage rates set up small caps and homebuyers for a more broad‑based 2026.

Compounding favors the early starters. In this Cents of Security episode, Mary MacNamara sits down with James Yendrey—one of the creators of the InvestMentor app—to unpack starter portfolios, why Gen Z is learning faster via short-form content, and how strategies evolve through peak-earning years into decumulation, RMDs, and healthcare planning.

Stefano Grasso, Portfolio Manager at Enhanced Value Fund, joins Guillaume Roux-Chabert to unpack Warren Buffett’s historic farewell letter, the legacy of value investing, and what Berkshire’s future means for investors. From humility and luck to executive pay and dry powder challenges—this episode is a masterclass in perspective.

On the latest Cents of Security Podcast, we dive into Interactive Brokers' InvestMentorSM, a free app designed to make financial literacy simple and accessible for everyone.

Jose Torres, Senior Economist at Interactive Brokers, joins Mary MacNamara to unpack market volatility, Fed rate cut probabilities, repos and what delayed economic data means for risk appetite.

Mary MacNamara and Jose Torres unpack a volatile week: strong ADP jobs data, Challenger cuts, and shutdown uncertainty. Plus, gold’s technical signals and what they mean for investors.

In this week’s Cents of Security, I sit down with Patrick Brown, Head of Climate Analytics at Interactive Brokers, to discuss:

Gold isn’t just a relic—it’s a hedge, a reserve, and a statement. I sat down with Nitesh Shah, Head of Commodity Research at WisdomTree, to explore why central banks are stockpiling gold, how interest rate policy shapes metal markets, and what rising global debt means for hard assets.