Navigating Our Financial Times

With changes to the tax law coming in 2026, 2025 is turning out to be a strategic year for philanthropic planning. On this edition of AZPM's “Navigating Our Financial Times,” CPA Edward Zollars joins the conversation once again to discuss how those changes may reshape plans for charitable giving.

The Federal Trade Commission says Americans reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, up 25% from the year before. What's driving the surge, and which scam is hitting consumers the hardest? Amy Nofziger, director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network joins hosts Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon to discuss common scams targeting Americans, particularly through their mobile phones.

2025 is shaping up to be a huge year for tax policy, but how will the recent changes to tax laws actually affect you? Edward Zollars, CPA from Thomas, Zollars, and Lynch, joins hosts Linda O'Bryon and Nicole Cox to break down the changes to the federal tax laws in the "Big Beautiful Bill," and what it means for your wallet.

The Social Security Administration marked its 90th anniversary in August. Some analysts have predicted that the program could become insolvent and unable to pay benefits as early as 2032. Maya MacGuineas, President of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins host Linda O'Bryon and AZPM Radio Director Nicole Cox to discuss the future sustainability of the program.

How today's shifting economic landscape affects Arizona families, retirees, workers, and businesses. Hosted by Nicole Cox with expert guests from academia and journalism, each episode offers clarity, context, and conversation on the real-world impacts of inflation, tariffs, labor shifts, housing, and more — all through a local lens.

AZPM Radio Program Director Nicole Cox sits down with Linda O'Bryon, founding executive editor of Nightly Business Report, and Tom Hudson, senior economics editor for WLRN Public Radio to discuss financial unpredictability from low consumer confidence, tariffs, and shifting global markets. Plus, the trio answers listener questions on job hunting in a cooling economy, housing supply shortages, Social Security's shrinking buying power, and the safety net of FDIC insurance. Recorded May 7, 2025.

We take a deep dive into Arizona's economic outlook. What will be the impact of tariffs, immigration crackdowns on labor, and changing economic policies on sectors like housing, tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare? Host Nicole Cox is joined by guest experts Linda O'Bryon, a nationally recognized journalist and broadcaster, and George Hammond, Director of the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona to discuss these topics and more.

AZPM's Nicole Cox speaks with journalist and broadcaster Linda O'Bryon about U.S. economic uncertainty, recent GDP contraction, recession risks, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and the influence of the bond market. Plus, we answer your questions about retirement planning, required minimum distributions, and investment philosophy.