Jim talks about the government shutdown now hitting 34 days — one shy of the all-time record — and asks whether artificial intelligence is overhyped or shaping our future. He shares stories from his first mock trial, a throwback Halloween in his mom’s neighborhood, Florida’s hurricane-free year, and a few thoughts on “bio-baiting” and online dating scams. Plus, why mortgage rates are still stuck in the 6s even after another Fed rate cut — and what’s up with his AI HELOC.