Money Tree Investing

John Demartini discusses how understanding your personal values can help you build confidence, find purpose, and achieve financial success. He shares his journey overcoming dyslexia and learning challenges, explaining how obstacles can become opportunities when you focus on your strengths and intrinsic motivations. John explores why people often prioritize immediate gratification over long-term financial independence, the importance of investing and compound growth, and how aligning your goals with your highest values can improve decision-making and fulfillment. He also explains how to identify your most meaningful and productive activities, delegate low-priority tasks, and structure your time around what you do best to create a more successful and rewarding life.

We discuss...

• John Demartini's journey overcoming dyslexia and learning challenges to become an educator, author, and international speaker.
• Hw perceived weaknesses and obstacles can become opportunities for personal growth and achievement.
• How understanding your personal hierarchy of values can reveal what motivates you and helps you succeed.
• Why people often struggle to achieve their goals when their actions do not align with their true priorities.
• The difference between intrinsic motivation and relying on external pressure or encouragement to succeed.
• Why people often confuse the desire for financial independence with the desire for an expensive lifestyle and immediate gratification.
• How investing, compound interest, patience, and deferred gratification can help build lasting wealth.
• The importance of letting your money work for you rather than becoming financially burdened by your lifestyle.
• Strategies for identifying your strengths, building confidence, and choosing career paths that align with your values.
• How comparing yourself to others and pursuing goals that do not reflect your priorities can lead to frustration and self-doubt.
• How understanding your values can help young people identify their interests and make more informed career decisions.
• How prioritizing meaningful, high-value activities and delegating lower-priority tasks helped him grow his business and increase profitability.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/build-wealth-that-matters-john-demartini-860

Zero jobs will be lost to AI and we will tell you the reason why as we discuss the future of AI and the growing risks of investing in the AI boom. We talk how AI could improve existing software, why specialized robots may be more practical than humanoid designs, and how overhyped expectations could lead to an AI market bubble. We also examine the concerns about AI companies lobbying for regulations that could limit competition, the risks of relying on AI for learning and communication, and the dangers of overbuilding data centers and infrastructure. Investors should be warned about excessive AI exposure, concentrated portfolios, and rising interest rates.

We discuss...

• Whether AI will eliminate jobs or primarily change how people work.
• The AI boom compared to the dot-com bubble and how excessive investment can lead to overbuilding and market crashes.
• How AI could improve existing software platforms by making company data easier to access and analyze.
• Whether expensive AI models can maintain their competitive advantages as open-source alternatives improve.
• How AI companies may use fear-based marketing and regulatory lobbying to protect their businesses from competition.
• How excessive reliance on AI can weaken critical thinking, learning, writing skills, and knowledge retention.
• Practical ways to use AI for research, productivity, and data analysis without becoming overly dependent on it.
• The AI bubble as a risk to investing, unrealistic growth expectations, excessive infrastructure spending, and potential financial risks.
• Concentrated investment portfolios and the risks of putting too much money into a single company or technology sector.
• Weakening real estate markets and how rising interest rates are putting pressure on property valuations.
• Why investors should compare the returns on risky investments with relatively safe U.S. Treasury yields.
• Higher interest rates could put further pressure on stock prices and other income-producing investments.
• The importance of managing risk, questioning market hype, and maintaining a cautious approach to investing.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/zero-jobs-will-be-lost-to-ai-859

David Miller discusses the unexpected strategy that can win when stocks are at their lowest. David shares about trend following, managed futures, and the importance of combining investment strategies that perform differently across market environments. He explains how Catalyst Mutual Funds uses trend following alongside equities to help reduce drawdowns, the challenges of whipsaw markets, and why diversification should mean combining uncorrelated strategies rather than simply owning more stocks. We also talk the impact of the Iran war, oil prices, gold, interest rates, and the upcoming midterm elections on markets.

We discuss...

• David Miller shares his journey from an early passion for investing to launching Catalyst Mutual Funds.
• Catalyst was built around the idea of using free cash flow yield and return on capital to identify attractive companies.
• Trend following can perform particularly well during major bear markets when traditional equities are struggling.
• Combining managed futures with equities can create a portfolio with stronger risk-adjusted returns and smaller drawdowns.
• Investors should think of diversification as combining uncorrelated strategies rather than simply owning more stocks.
• Mean-reversion strategies can complement trend following by performing better when markets are volatile but lack a clear direction.
• How oil prices, gold, interest rates, and the Iran war have affected markets in 2026.
• Why the U.S. economy has been more resilient to higher oil prices because the country is now a major oil exporter.
• How the upcoming midterm elections could influence U.S. policy, oil prices, inflation, and the Federal Reserve.
• Investors should build portfolios that can perform across different economic and market environments rather than relying on a few high-growth stocks.
• Combining complementary strategies may be more practical than trying to predict the next Apple or Nvidia.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/strategy-that-can-win-david-miller-858

AI companies are worth zero and we are going to tell you why. Today we discuss the rapid evolution of AI, what AI and AGI actually mean, and the importance of clean, reliable data. We also talk the risks of AI hallucinations and misinformation, privacy concerns, and the possibility that open-source models will eventually become good enough to challenge expensive frontier models. We also ask if AI companies really have durable competitive advantages, it's impact on jobs, the parallels to the internet bubble, and the difficulty of knowing which companies will ultimately benefit from AI. Investors should remain cautious as always and avoid chasing AI hype and expensive valuations. Protect yourselves from the eventual market revaluation, and recognize that future opportunities may emerge after the current AI boom loses momentum. Today we discuss...

• AI as an advanced form of machine learning and an interactive interface for analyzing large amounts of data.
• Why clean, reliable data is essential for AI to produce useful results.
• Whether artificial general intelligence has a clear definition and whether current AI has already surpassed traditional versions of the Turing test.
• How AI can create value by identifying patterns in large datasets that would be difficult for humans to analyze manually.
• The AI boom compared to the early internet and argue that today's leading AI companies may not necessarily be the long-term winners.
• Open-source AI models could eventually become good enough for most users and eliminate the need for expensive frontier models.
• Whether calls for AI regulation could partly be an attempt by large companies to limit competition and create regulatory capture.
• AI's potential impact on employment, arguing that most jobs will likely change rather than disappear entirely.
• The importance of protecting private information and avoiding putting sensitive data into public AI systems.
• Whether AI-generated content and AI agents could create a declining chain of increasingly unreliable information.
• Being bullish on AI technology does not necessarily mean being bullish on AI stocks or companies.
• The possibility of overinvestment in AI-related computing infrastructure and semiconductors.
• An eventual AI market revaluation could create significant losses but also produce major investment opportunities.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/ai-companies-are-worth-zero-heres-why-857

Colin Steinberg discusses tax planning for high-earning W-2 employees. He focuses on executive compensation and non-qualified plans. He explains how deferred compensation plans can help executives save additional income on a pre-tax basis beyond traditional 401(k) limits, the eligibility requirements, investment options, and the risks associated with having deferred assets tied to the financial health of an employer. We also talk after-tax strategies such as life insurance, how companies can use tax-efficient compensation to retain key employees, and why understanding tax planning opportunities before accepting a promotion, changing jobs, or receiving a large bonus can play an important role in long-term wealth building.

We discuss...

• Colin Steinberg explains his transition from financial advising to tax planning and executive compensation strategies.
• Tax-saving opportunities available to high-earning W-2 employees beyond traditional retirement accounts.
• Deferred compensation plans allow eligible executives to save additional income on a pre-tax basis beyond 401(k) limits.
• Non-qualified plans are generally designed for highly compensated employees, including executives and high-earning sales professionals.
• Deferred compensation plans can offer investment options similar to a 401(k), with some additional opportunities in private markets and alternative investments.
• A key trade-off of deferred compensation is that the money can be tied up for many years and remains subject to the financial health and creditors of the employer.
• Companies can use tax-efficient compensation strategies to reward and retain key employees without simply increasing their taxable salaries or bonuses.
• Life insurance can provide an additional after-tax vehicle for tax-deferred growth and potentially tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
• W-2 employees should generally maximize available qualified retirement plans and employer matches before exploring additional tax-planning strategies.
• Companies can potentially combine multiple compensation and tax-planning strategies to address issues such as partner buyouts, employee retention, and executive compensation.
• Proactive tax planning and working with knowledgeable advisors can help high-income individuals make more informed decisions about building long-term wealth.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/tax-planning-for-high-earners-colin-steinburg-856

Today we bring the AI fake news as we talk the growing impact of AI on investing, education, privacy, creativity, and everyday life. AI can improve research and productivity but it's also flattening individual creativity, encourage overreliance, and create risks when users feed sensitive information into public AI models. We explore the importance of protecting private data, keeping valuable information separated from AI tools, and using AI as a supplement rather than a substitute for learning and critical thinking. We also talk rising interest rates, inflation, oil prices, tariffs, market volatility, global financial pressures, and the risks of becoming emotionally attached to an investment thesis.

We discuss...

• How AI can make research, content creation, and productivity easier, but it can also flatten creativity and make everyone's work look the same.
• The "golden rule" of AI is to avoid using it to save yourself time by wasting someone else's time with low-quality content.
• Overreliance on AI can prevent people from developing the knowledge, skills, creativity, and critical thinking that come from doing the work themselves.
• Sensitive personal, financial, business, and intellectual property information should be kept away from public AI models because data shared with AI may not remain private.
• Open-source AI models are becoming increasingly capable and can provide alternatives to expensive frontier models.
• AI is disrupting education as students increasingly rely on it for homework and assignments, raising concerns about declining math, reading, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• AI may be most useful as leverage for existing knowledge rather than a replacement for learning and independent thinking.
• Changing expectations for another Federal Reserve rate hike and the potential effects of tighter monetary policy on employment, housing, and markets.
• Market strength beneath the surface, including technology and AI leadership, institutional positioning, short covering, and risks in emerging markets.
• How historical market comparisons, including similarities to 2008, need to be considered in the context of today's different economic conditions.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/ai-fake-news-855

Matthew Tuttle discusses his approach to ETF investing strategies. He includes his innovative H.E.A.T. formula of hedges, edges, asymmetry, and themes. He explains why he launched inverse ETFs targeting high-profile investors, how he looks for investment opportunities by identifying emerging themes and bottlenecks in areas like AI, photonics, memory, robotics, and space. We also discuss managing risk through position sizing and diversification, using puts and VIX calls as tail-risk hedges, finding persistent market edges through behavioral strategies and options. Matthew also shares his views on the future of the ETF industry, including the growth of increasingly specialized thematic and innovative ETFs, while emphasizing the importance of balancing exposure to high-growth opportunities with disciplined risk management.

We discuss...

• The creation of inverse ETFs targeting Cathie Wood and Jim Cramer and the thinking behind taking the opposite side of popular investment narratives.
• Matt's H.E.A.T. investment philosophy, which stands for hedges, edges, asymmetry, and themes.
• How investors can find emerging opportunities by looking beyond obvious winners to their suppliers, suppliers' suppliers, and industry bottlenecks.
• Similarities between today's tech-driven market and the late-1990s technology boom, including the concentration of market gains in technology stocks.
• How Matt approaches portfolios during periods of uncertainty by combining equities, crypto, alternative exposures, tail-risk protection, and other diversifying assets.
• Why Matt considers puts on the S&P 500 and calls on the VIX to be more reliable hedges than traditional assets such as bonds or gold.
• How advanced options strategies can help reduce the cost of maintaining long-term portfolio hedges.
• Different ways to find market edges, including behavioral strategies, selling puts, and opportunities created by volatility-related exchange-traded products.
• How the ETF industry is evolving toward increasingly specialized thematic strategies and more innovative product structures.
• Research, diversification, and disciplined position sizing when investing in popular or highly volatile themes.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/etf-investing-strategies-matthew-tuttle-854

We've been seeing the stock market stuck in neutral so right now we're focusing on rising inflation, interest rates, government debt, and growing risks across the economy and financial markets. Today we talk the Fed's unanimous 25-basis-point rate hike alongside our concerns about the persistent inflation we've been seeing. We also discuss why bonds are becoming more attractive for income, and the difference between high inflation and hyperinflation. We also explore the media sensationalism and how it can distort perceptions of risk and seasonal market patterns around the coming midterm elections.

We discuss...

• How inflation, economic growth, and currency devaluation could be used to reduce the burden of the massive national debt.
• The potential impact of higher inflation on asset owners, real estate, debt, and investment returns was explored.
• The difference between high inflation and hyperinflation was explained, along with why hyperinflation is viewed as unlikely in the U.S.
• Why bonds have become more attractive for retirement income as yields have risen.
• Media sensationalism and the way news coverage can distort perceptions of risks such as terrorism, crime, COVID, and other causes of death were examined.
• Growing market concentration and unusually high household exposure to equities were highlighted as potential sources of market fragility.
• Weakening real consumer purchasing power as inflation continues to outpace wage growth.
• Rising national debt and the rapid pace of additional borrowing were examined as growing long-term economic concerns.
• Historical market seasonality around midterm elections and the tendency for markets to strengthen later in the year.
• The Nasdaq's sideways performance, the Russell 2000's recent weakness, and potential opportunities in small-cap stocks.
• Gold and silver as markets that may require patience following periods of strong performance and consolidation.
• Bitcoin and the hosts' differing levels of confidence in various cryptocurrencies, including XRP.
• Rising 30-year mortgage rates and their potential impact on housing affordability and home prices.
• The housing market is increasingly strained by high mortgage rates, elevated home prices, declining buyers, and rising listings.
• Investors should remain cautious and pay attention to market signals rather than assuming current calm conditions will continue.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/stock-market-stuck-853

Jonathan Nurick joins the show to discuss a long-term investing strategy centered on the boring stocks. He talks dividend growth, free cash flow, and the importance of staying invested through market volatility. We explore investor psychology and the challenge of ignoring exciting trends like AI and speculative IPOs in favor of boring but resilient businesses such as Cintas and Home Depot. Jonathan also explains why his strategy favors established mid- to large-cap companies, particularly U.S. market leaders, and he emphasizes that successful investing requires not only choosing the right investments but also having the discipline and framework to hold them long enough for compounding to work.

We discuss...

• Why dividend growth can be a powerful long-term investing strategy.
• Growing dividends can provide investors with a fundamental signal that helps them stay invested through market volatility.
• How free cash flow can be used for dividends, buybacks, debt repayment, and reinvestment.
• Buybacks can be highly effective when companies repurchase shares at attractive valuations.
• Strong management teams and disciplined capital allocation are critical to the success of dividend-growth companies.
• Investor psychology makes it difficult to ignore exciting trends like AI, semiconductors, and IPOs when they are outperforming.
• The investment process emphasizes competitive advantages, low leverage, high returns on capital, and predictable growth.
• Why investing in established market leaders can provide greater resilience than chasing newer, highly competitive industries.
• Choosing what to own is only half of successful investing, with knowing how to hold it being equally important.
• Investors can improve their discipline by focusing on fundamental progress and dividend growth instead of constantly watching share prices.
• Find the beauty in boring businesses and let long-term compounding do the work.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance

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For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/boring-stocks-jonathan-nurick

There is a 90% chance for a rate hike... Today we cover growing economic and market risks, as we hone in on AI, inflation, interest rates, housing, and government spending. There is increasingly negative messaging from major AI companies, arguing that calls for regulation may reflect slowing AI growth and a desire to limit competition rather than purely concern for public safety, while warning that a slowdown in AI investment could expose an already stagnant economy and increase recession risks. We also talk the rising expectations for Fed rate hikes, higher Treasury yields, and weakening housing affordability. We review seasonal market weakness in September and October, stock issuance as a potential warning sign of corporate stress, and why investors should remain cautious and reduce risk amid increasing volatility and uncertainty.

We discuss...

College planning and how scholarships can dramatically reduce the actual cost of expensive liberal arts colleges. The changing narrative around AI and whether growing calls for AI regulation are partly driven by major companies trying to limit competition. Whether AI development is beginning to plateau after several years of rapid growth and what that could mean for the economy and markets. Slowing AI investment could expose underlying economic weakness and potentially contribute to stagnation or recession. Rising expectations for Federal Reserve rate hikes as inflation and employment data point toward a more challenging economic environment. Higher interest rates and Treasury yields could put additional pressure on an already stretched housing market. How housing affordability has deteriorated dramatically for younger Americans and why falling home prices could ultimately be beneficial for buyers. Why mortgage rates are influenced more directly by Treasury yields and the broader yield curve than by the Fed's policy rate alone. How the traditional 60/40 portfolio has become less effective as stocks and bonds have increasingly moved together. Why rising interest rates can make short-term fixed income more attractive while creating risks for investors holding longer-term bonds. How everyday necessities such as groceries, shelter, insurance, fuel, and coffee have risen sharply in price despite headline inflation appearing much lower. Rising gas prices and their potential political consequences heading into the midterm elections. Increased corporate stock issuance as a potential warning sign that companies may be relying on equity financing rather than debt to raise capital.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/chance-for-a-rate-hike-851