In this episode, the team discusses the recent flare-up of banking and credit market stresses, highlighting several high-profile fraud cases across regional banks, private credit funds, and specialty lenders. They examine whether these incidents are isolated or indicative of broader systemic risks, particularly as high-yield private credit products become increasingly marketed to retail investors. The conversation expands to geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China over rare earth minerals and the resulting market volatility, while also noting signs of resilience in consumer demand and national security–driven investment. Overall, the team balances caution with perspective, questioning whether current disruptions represent early warning signs or temporary dislocations.