2025 was one of the better years to be an investor, but what’s next for 2026? As part of their annual “Prediction Podcast”, Steve and Dave look back at who was right and wrong last year, and what the “experts” are forecasting for 2026. You’ll also learn who Ned Davis* is and why Dave inexplicably called him out. All this and more on episode 125 of Plan For Life Now.

*No, not a character on “The Simpsons”, but good guess!

Nothing screams “Past Performance Does Not Guarantee Future Results” like Artificial Intelligence stocks. What has fueled incredible market success over the past two years has analysts debating what might happen going forward. Steve and Dave tackle the tangible and psychological factors of the A.I. trade in episode 124 of Plan For Life Now*.

*ChatGPT played no role in the writing or publishing of this podcast blurb

Similar to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (With the exception of the topic, gravitas, historical context, speaking ability, and every other intellectual attribute you can possibly think of), Dave shares his own “ I Had A Dream” speech. Steve adds his financial tidbits and, somehow, Episode 123 of Plan For Life Now is a pretty good potpourri* podcast!

*French word for “winging it”

Ever wonder what happens when a whole bunch of financial advisors get together for a 3 day conference? If you said, “Yes”, then you need to critically analyze your “Things To Wonder About” list. Having said that, Steve, Dave, and Amy* learned a lot at their Broker Dealer’s annual meeting at the Gaylord in National Harbor. We share all the information, stories, and helpful takeaways on Episode 122 of Plan For Life Now!

*It only took Amy 122 episodes to be mentioned in the Pod summary. Now I have to figure out how to work her into episode 244.

On episode 121 of Plan For Life Now, Steve and Dave break down the recently passed “Big, Beautiful Bill”. How does this bill affect you? If you’re very rich, you’ll be very happy. If you’re retired and a typical client of ours, we think you’ll like some of the things you hear. If you’re on Medicaid…there are so many other podcasts out there for your listening pleasure.

A very bullish episode 120 of Plan For Life Now starts with Dave’s review of his trip to Japan. He’s bullish on Japan, especially the toilets ( That, my friends, is what we call “a tease!). Steve then makes a strong case that we are not going into a recession, followed by a more existential discussion of the psychological reaction people now have towards the stock market. The Wall Street Journal says, “Episode 120 has a truly positive vibe, one of our favorites!”*

*The Wall Street Journal did not say this. They don’t even review podcasts.

In this day after “Liberation Day” podcast, Steve and Dave try to unwind and analyze what all this tariff stuff means. Is their analysis accurate? Only time will tell. More importantly, how does this affect your retirement plan, and what should you do going forward? A lot of questions and (we think) some good answers on episode #119 of Plan For Life Now.

Be it tarrifs or DOGE or whatever, the March markets start off (way!) down. A good time for Steve and Dave to reiterate their tangible and emotional investing fundamentals! Plus, you’ll learn a new phrase, “The Yen Carry Trade “.* All this and more on episode 118 of PFLN.

*If you already know what “The Yen Carry Trade” is, we recommend less screen time, and more person to person interaction.

Are you a Fed? Is going into the office 5 days a week not for you? Are you retired or recently retired, and know you need a game plan, but have told yourself you’ll “get to it at some point?” If so, starting at the 7:30 mark of Episode 117 of PFLN, Steve and Dave discuss the financial challenges,solutions, and action steps for federal retirees in 2025!

It’s the season of giving, so Steve and Dave start with how the markets certainly held up their share of the bargain in 2024. And speaking of 2024, they move on to “Seven Lessons of 2024” by Charlie Billelo, arguably the second greatest “Lessons” piece ever written ( Sorry, nothing beats my personal golf bible, “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons”). If you’re interested in financial and philosophical guidelines for 2025 and beyond, then episode 116 of Plan For Life Now is definitely for you!