As we kick off 2026, financial planning is facing major changes — from new tax laws to retirement strategy shifts and global economic transitions. On this episode of The Crude Truth, Ray sits down with wealth strategist Rebecca Walser to break down what’s happening now and what it means for your financial future.

They dive into retirement tax traps, why 401(k)s may not be enough, Roth and post-tax strategies, the pressure of retiring baby boomers, and how upcoming tax changes could impact everyday Americans. Rebecca also shares insights on emerging technologies, AI, blockchain, energy, and why diversification and tax efficiency matter more than ever.

Whether you’re planning for retirement, building wealth, or simply trying to stay ahead in 2026, this episode delivers must-know financial insight you can’t afford to miss.

Connect with Rebecca Walser on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccawalser/

And Walswer Wealth Management. https://www.linkedin.com/company/walser-wealth-management/

The main topics discussed in this podcast are:

1. Tax and financial planning strategies for 2026:

- Changes to tax laws and retirement account rules in the "big, beautiful bill" that will take effect in 2026

- Advice to consider transitioning pre-tax retirement savings to post-tax or Roth accounts to avoid potentially higher future tax rates

- Concerns about the growing retirement wealth gap and the strain the retiring baby boomer generation will put on social safety nets and the tax system

2. The global macroeconomic transition away from traditional fiat currencies:

- The rise of blockchain-based digital currencies and stable coins, and their potential to displace the US dollar as the global reserve currency

- The trend of major countries like China and India conducting trade without using the US dollar

- The potential impact on the US if the dollar loses its reserve currency status, including the ability to fund the federal government's budget deficit

3. Emerging technologies and investment opportunities:

- The "fourth industrial revolution" driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, and blockchain

- The need for investors to participate in these transformative technologies, while doing so in a risk-aware manner

- The continued importance of investing in commodities like gold and silver as a hedge against the global currency transition

4. The state and future of the oil and gas industry:

- The long-term outlook for oil and gas remaining an important energy source, but the need for new technologies to supplement it

- Concerns about the vulnerability of the US electrical grid and the national security implications of potential disruptions

- Tax benefits and investment structures related to oil and gas that investors should explore with their advisors

Our discussion covers a wide range of macroeconomic, financial, and industry-specific topics that Rebecca Walsner, discusses in the context of planning for the year 2026. Planning now will save money and time later.

Follow Rey on his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reytrevinoiii/

Check out the Crude Truth website: https://thecrudetruth.com/

Also, Pecos Operating Website: https://pecosoperating.com/

Also, the great Production team at Real News Public Relations: https://www.realnewspr.com/

From NASA to the oilfield. A literal rocket scientist, Chad Hanak, explains how precise well placement can boost production by 11%—without changing your AFE. This is the crude truth operators need to hear. Chad Hanak is the President at Superior QC, a Patterson-UTI Company, and is our guest today.

Thank you, Dr. Hanak, for stopping by the Crude Truth Podcast - Rey.

1. The background and expertise of Dr. Chad Hanak, the President of Superior QC. We cover his experience working at NASA on guidance, navigation, and control systems for space flight, and how he later applied those skills to the oil and gas industry.

2. The technical parallels between space flight navigation and directional drilling in the oil industry. Dr. Hanak explains how the concepts of guidance, navigation, and control are similarly applied in both domains.

3. The validation study conducted by Superior QC to quantify the impact of their survey correction software on well production. The transcript goes into detail about the methodology used, the confounding factors accounted for, and the statistically significant results showing an 11.2% increase in first-year production for wells using Superior QC’s technology.

4. The real-world implications of improved well placement, including avoiding potential well collisions and optimizing production by preventing parasitic effects between neighboring wells.

5. The consistent positive impact of Superior QC’s technology across different regions, well types, and time periods, demonstrating the broad applicability and reliability of their solution.

6. The process of how Superior QC integrates with operators to provide real-time survey correction and monitoring services during the drilling process.

The overall focus of our discussion is on how Superior QC’s technical expertise and innovative approach is delivering measurable value to oil and gas operators through enhanced well placement and production optimization.

Check out the Superior QC website here.

Connect with Chad Hanak on his LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-hanak-7358652a/

Also, other Crude Truth and Pecos Operating sites:

The Crude Truth: https://thecrudetruth.com/

Pecos Operating: https://pecosoperating.com/

Also, the great Production team at Real News Public Relations: https://www.realnewspr.com/

My opening line is “With so much going on in the world today, is it safe to say that the world is actually healing? But we do have a few more bumpy roads ahead.” may be an understatement.

I am currently writing several articles on new trends in molecule demand, oil demand, pricing, natural gas, and how AI is impacting the oil and energy markets, and this podcast helped kick off the discussion to a great start in 2026.

The USGS just announced a groundbreaking assessment that underscores the enduring potential of America’s energy heartland. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has revealed significant undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Woodford and Barnett shales within the Permian Basin. This latest evaluation, released just days ago, estimates technically recoverable reserves that could bolster U.S. energy security and fuel economic growth in Texas and beyond.

Today’s Podcast Panel is made up of Karr Ingham, President, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, David Blackmon, Author and Host of the Energy Impacts Podcast, and Stu Turley, Host of the Energy News Beat Podcast.

This is a huge story for Texas, jobs, data centers, and growth for decades to come.

Please check out the great work from Karr Inham and the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.

Check out the Crude Truth Website for the full Transcript and Pecos Country Operating on our oil and gas productions.

Texas faces a critical crossroads on energy, taxes, and immigration—and Sanjay Narayan is stepping up with clear solutions. On The Crude Truth, Sanjay shares how cutting property taxes, securing our energy grid with oil, gas, and nuclear power, and enforcing the rule of law can keep Texas thriving. Tune in to hear why this Texas House candidate is ready to fight for conservative values and real economic growth.

Key points discussed in the Crude Truth Podcast are:

1. Sanjay Narayan's candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives District 108, which covers the Highland Park, University Park, and surrounding areas of Dallas. Sanjay discusses his motivations for running, his policy positions, and his chances of winning the primary election.

2. Property tax relief and reform of the "Robin Hood" school funding system in Texas. Sanjay criticizes the current system as confiscating too much money from local school districts and argues for allowing districts to keep more of their own tax revenue.

3. Energy policy, with a focus on nuclear power and reducing subsidies for wind and solar energy. Sanjay emphasizes the reliability of nuclear power and the need to support the oil and gas industry in Texas.

4. Immigration policy, including Sanjay's support for ending in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and making E-Verify mandatory.

5. Sanjay's background serving on the Texas Radiation Advisory Board and his expertise on nuclear energy and radiation safety.

Rey Trevino also discusses Sanjay's involvement in previous energy policy events and panels in Texas.

Follow Sanjay Narayan on his LinkedIn:   / sanjaynarayan  

Follow Rey on his LinkedIn:   / reytrevinoiii  

Check out the Crude Truth website: https://thecrudetruth.com/

Also, Pecos Operating Website: https://pecosoperating.com/

Also, the great Production team at Real News Public Relations: https://www.realnewspr.com/

Doing things the TEXAS way. In this segment, the conversation takes a bold turn into the realities of Texas power and America’s energy future with Americans for Prosperity ????

Texas now boasts the 8th-largest economy in the world—bigger than Russia’s—which means the Texas governor holds influence that rivals global leaders. The panel dives into why energy is the backbone of that strength: no energy, no economy.

With AI data centers, Bitcoin miners, and rapid tech expansion demanding more power, Texas sits at a crossroads. Some fear new energy-hungry industries moving in—but as our guest says, that’s not innovation. Texas has the resources and the talent. What’s missing? Clearing government barriers that slow production and choke progress.

The solution: an all-of-the-above energy strategy—nuclear, oil and gas, LNG, and more—paired with serious permitting reform. Because if it takes 7–8 years to build new infrastructure, investment will go elsewhere.

This is a must-watch for anyone who cares about energy policy, economic growth, and the future of Texas leadership.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a major libertarian-conservative political advocacy group in the U.S. https://americansforprosperity.org/

Let’s gear up for a massive 2026. The Crude Truth sits down with two of the most influential grassroots leaders in Texas politics: Kristi Antonick and James Mayville of Americans for Prosperity Texas (AFP-TX) https://americansforprosperity.org/

They break down how AFP became “the people’s lobby” — connecting everyday Texans to policymakers, building a decades-long fight into a historic school choice victory, and now helping lead the charge on Governor Abbott’s bold new property tax reform agenda.

From property tax relief vs. real reform, to reining in out-of-control local spending, to educating voters on bonds and appraisals, Chrissie and James show how grassroots energy is reshaping Texas from the ground up.

Then the conversation shifts to energy: why Texas now has the 8th-largest economy in the world (bigger than Russia), why we’ll need more capacity (AI, data centers, Bitcoin, manufacturing), and how a pro-nuclear, all-of-the-above strategy and permitting reform are critical to keeping Texas free, prosperous, and powered.

They highlight Natura Resources’ molten salt reactor project near Abilene, AFP’s Freedom Unleashed Tour, and how local testimony, personal stories, and year-round door-knocking are changing both policy and elections in Texas.

If you care about school choice, property taxes, energy policy, or defending liberty in Texas, this episode is a roadmap for how citizens can get in the arena and make a real impact.

???? Learn more / get involved: freedomisbigger.com

Subscribe to the Crude Truth Subsack Here:

https://pecoscrudetruth.substack.com/p/kristi-antonick-and-james-mayville

In this powerful episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño III interviews Kristina Krykhtin, an entrepreneur, investor, and Miss Florida Entrepreneur, who joins Rey to share her incredible journey from Belarus to the U.S., her rise in Miami real estate, and how she’s helping others build generational wealth through multifamily investing and tax-efficient strategies.

I had fun visiting with Kristina on these huge topics.

1. Alternative investments, particularly in real estate and multifamily properties. We discuss the benefits of investing in real estate, such as tax advantages, cash flow, and appreciation.

2. Kristina’s personal background and journey, including moving from Belarus to the United States as a child, overcoming language barriers, and developing a passion for entrepreneurship and the “American Dream”.

3. The role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and how it is impacting jobs and the economy. Kristina expresses concerns about the potential for AI to replace human jobs and the need to find ways to create new employment opportunities.

4. Kristina’s experience as an entrepreneur, including being crowned “Miss Florida Entrepreneur”, and the importance of discipline, consistency, and continuous learning for success.

5. The current state of the real estate market, especially in Florida, and the differences between various property classes (A, B, C) that investors may consider.

6. The value of sharing knowledge and educating others, particularly when it comes to investment strategies and tax benefits, is a key focus for Kristina.

Thank you, Kristian, for stopping by The Crude Truth Podcast. - Rey

Chapters:

01:35 Intro

02:53 Educate people in investments

03:38 The American Dream

05:55 Real Estate

09:54 Growing and Correct Information

13:48 Turning 40 and first bodybuilding competition

21:06 Tax Benefits

Connect with Kristina Krykhtin on her LinkedIn.

Episode Sponsors:

LFS Chemistry • NAPE Expo • Air Compressor Solutions • Sandstone Group • Exec Crew • Texas Star Alliance • Pecos Country Operating • Real News Communications Network

Check out The Crude Truth Substack

???? Produced by Real News Communications Network (RNCN) — where creators become thought leaders.

???? [TheCrudeTruth.com](https://www.thecrudetruth.com)

Stay tuned for more great podcasts rolling out from The Crude Truth.

Leadership, chemistry, and the lessons forged in the oil field—they have far more in common than you think. In this unscripted, off-the-cuff episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño III sits down with longtime friend, mentor, sponsor, and all-around force-of-nature Jim Holmes, Executive at LFS Chemistry, Exec Crew mentor, Eagle Scout, oilfield veteran, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast.

What began as a casual lunch turned into one of the most candid conversations in show history. Rey and Jim talk about chemistry innovations in the oil field, navigating volatile markets, adapting to extended laterals, mentoring young leaders, the pressures facing service companies, and why integrity matters more than spreadsheets when choosing investments.

Jim opens up about parenting, leadership, the discipline of Jiu-Jitsu, and the surprising life lessons learned from wilderness survival in Scouts—and how those lessons directly translate to running a company in today’s oil and gas landscape.

This episode is raw, real, and full of insight into the mindset it takes to build, grow, and sustain a business—especially in turbulent times. If you’re in the oil field, run a service company, or simply appreciate hearing two industry pros share the truth behind success, this one’s for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Unscripted beginnings and welcome

03:10 – LFS Chemistry: New tech, new trials, and growth in a tough year

06:00 – Environmentally friendliness conversation

06:50– Evolution in the industry and Jim’s thoughts from a chemistry standpoint

8:00 – The oil production challenges with chemistry and how LFS Chemistry is mentoring

10:42 – Longer laterals and how chemistry is evolving to keep up

17:20 – Leadership, mentorship, and breaking old molds

22:41– Jim opens up about challenges and his thoughts on perseverance

24:15 – Eagle Scout lessons that shaped Jim’s business philosophy

34:08 – Parenting, risk, and bonding through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

45:30 – Exec Crew: What real leaders learn from each other

52:44 – Investing: Why people matter more than projections

1:02:18 – The road ahead for oilfield service companies

1:12:50 – Looking to 2026: Market pressures and surviving the downturn

1:18:40 – Calling out JP Warren and final thoughts

1:22:10 – How to contact LFS Chemistry and closing remarks

Please reach out to Jim Holmes on his LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-h-55463a14/

 Check out the Crude Truth Substack: https://pecoscrudetruth.substack.com/

Check out LFS Chemistry here:

https://lfschemistry.com/

We have taken The Crude Truth on the road to the PBIOS Permian Basin International Oil Show. (https://pbioilshow.org/) 

In this special episode of "The Crude Truth", Host RT Treviño III interviews two influential Texas mayors that live and breath West Texas: Mayor Lori Blong of Midland and Mayor Cal Hendrick of Odessa. These cities share their collaboration successes.

"We lead the nation and set the example for the entire world!"

Midland is thriving! The largest Costco in Texas is in Midland if that is an indication of a thriving city. It's a important piece. 

The discussion covers the historical significance of oil in Texas, the ongoing importance of the energy industry, and the challenges and opportunities facing West Texas communities. 

The mayors discuss city growth, infrastructure needs, collaboration between Midland and Odessa, and the future of energy, including water management and attracting new industries. 

The conversation highlights the spirit of innovation, community, and partnership that drives the Permian Basin, with both mayors expressing pride in their cities and optimism for continued growth and prosperity.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:01 - Introduction

01:23 - The Mayors of Midland and Odessa 

02:34 - Midland’s Growth and Innovation

03:30 - Challenges and Responsibilities of Running Odessa

06:00 - Collaboration Between Midland and Odessa

07:28 - The Power of Unity in the Permian Basin

08:35 - The Reality of Public Service

12:31 - Reinvesting in Infrastructure and Community Growth

15:55 - Preparing for the Future: Data Centers and AI

20:01 - Attracting Business and Building a Stronger Economy

21:41 - Ensuring ROI and Responsible Economic Development

23:00 - Mutual Respect and Support Between Mayors

24:59 - Commending Odessa’s Leadership and Progress

26:00 - The Strength of Collaboration

27:34 - Building the Future of the Permian Basin

30:22 - Mayor Blong on Leadership, Innovation, and Responsibility

33:08 - Closing Remarks

The government shutdown is hitting home — and Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne returns to The Crude Truth to call it like she sees it.

???? In this episode, Rey Treviño III and Congresswoman Van Duyne dive into the real impact of the “Schumer Shutdown” — from families struggling with halted paychecks to the political gridlock keeping America closed for business.

Takeaways:

Why Democrats admit they’re using the shutdown as “leverage” — and who’s paying the price.

The truth about the $1.5 trillion spending demand and how it affects small businesses and the middle class.

Van Duyne’s new bill protecting America’s highways from unqualified commercial drivers.

How Texas leads with jobs, energy, and common sense — including her record-breaking North Texas job fair.

The role of energy independence, tariffs, and trade in restoring American strength.

The ceasefire abroad and how peace through strength is reshaping U.S. leadership.

????️ “We can’t cave to childish and dangerous demands,” says Van Duyne. “The American people deserve adults in the room.”

Rey closes the show reminding listeners that energy — and leadership — still power this great nation.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:01 - The Schumer Shutdown and Its Impact

01:57 - Democrats Using Shutdown as Leverage

03:47 - Budget Battles and Conservative Policies

05:11 - The Human Cost of Political Games

14:38 - Finding Common Ground Across the Aisle

16:08 - Energy Prices and American Production

17:21 - Restoring the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

26:10 - Clarifying Misconceptions About Congress

27:27 - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Sponsored by:

LFS Chemistry | NAEP Expo | Air Compressor Solutions | Sandstone Group | Exec Crew | Texas Star Alliance | Pecos Country Operating | Real News Communications Network

???? Watch the full episode: The Crude Truth with Rey Treviño III

???? Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

How Trucking Keeps America Moving | Tracy Dhamers on The Crude Truth

Transportation and trucking expert Tracy Dhamers joins The Crude Truth to reveal how the trucking industry literally fuels America’s economy — and why this West Texas business owner believes oil, grit, and entrepreneurship keep the country running. ????????????

Tracy, owner of North Country Oil, shares her incredible journey from earning a PhD to becoming one of the only women in the oil trucking industry — learning the ropes from the ground up as a “swamper.” From buying a truck on her honeymoon to managing a fleet of 50 oil trucks, Tracy’s story is pure determination and Texas toughness.

https://www.northcountryoil.com

Episode Highlights:

1:45 – Why the trucking industry is getting leaner, meaner, and more efficient

2:36 – West Texas–owned: North Country Oil with Tracy Dhamers

3:13 – How Tracy built an oil trucking company without formal business training

3:50 – A true family-owned operation

4:00 – Running 50 oil trucks strong

4:30 – Are we in a downturn? How Tracy keeps her employees working

5:00 – From PhD to “swamper” — learning from the bottom up

6:50 – The dramatic shift from medical examiner to oilfield operator

8:00 – “My honeymoon was buying a truck!”

8:30 – The power of family in the business

9:00 – Moving a super load with a police escort

12:00 – How the trucking industry is adapting in Texas and North Dakota

14:55 – Why trucking isn’t going anywhere — doing more with less

???? The Crude Truth with Rey “RT” Treviño— real conversations about energy, entrepreneurship, and the people who keep America running.

#TheCrudeTruth #OilAndGas #TruckingIndustry #WomenInEnergy #Transportation #TexasOil #Entrepreneurship #EnergyNews #ReyTrevino #TracyDhamers #AmericanEnergy