This episode of The Higher Standard pulls back the curtain on the Fed’s $2 trillion “magic trick” that never makes the headlines. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil break down how the overnight reverse repo facility works like a no-risk money parking garage for banks—one so massive it once held enough cash to buy every home in New York City twice. Add in a little history lesson on the Fed literally locking away gold in the 1930s to keep money out of circulation, and you’ve got a playbook of hidden levers that shape the economy while the average person is left scratching their head. Spoiler: it’s less about Main Street and more about keeping Wall Street on life support.

➡️ But this isn’t just charts and jargon—expect sushi horror stories, octopus debates, Hulk Hogan controversies, and even a detour into alien tech possibly cruising toward Earth (thanks, Harvard). The crew wrestles with the big question: are these financial maneuvers protecting consumers, or just quietly bailing out the system? Either way, the laughs hit as hard as the lessons. Welcome back to the only financial literacy podcast that can connect the Fed’s shadow moves to turtle mating rituals without missing a beat.

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🔗 Resources:

Comet 3I/ATLAS (Nasa)

Hulk Hogan listening to Young Jeezy (YouTube)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris, Saied and Rajeil pull no punches in dissecting how the system is built to keep you running on a hamster wheel you didn’t even know you were on. From the wage stagnation that’s been silently robbing you for decades to the way debt culture is disguised as “financial freedom,” the guys lay out the unvarnished truth: the playbook you’ve been following was never designed for you to win. Expect sharp takes, brutal stats, and enough “wait, what?!” moments to make you question every money decision you’ve made since high school.

➡️ But it’s not all doomscrolling for your wallet, there’s a way out, and this episode draws you the map. Chris and Saied break down how ownership, leverage, and developing high-value skills can flip the script, giving you the same advantages the wealthy have been exploiting for years. Think of it as financial red-pilling: once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And once you act on it, you’re done playing the role of economic background character - you’re in the driver’s seat.

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🔗 Resources:

“The poor and the middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them.” -Robert Kiyosaki

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

What happens when a straight-shooting car guy with zero patience for bullshit takes on the loudest, most insecure bros on the internet? You get Curtis Lorincz — the viral voice calling out fake gurus, bro culture, and “number one car salesman” fantasies with nothing but a phone and the truth. In this episode, Curtis joins Chris and Rajeil to unpack how obedience gets monetized, why yelling at men isn’t motivation, and what really goes on behind those cringey sales events with VIP dinner upgrades and God-tier grifting.

➡️ From $6,000 podcast invites to baptism-by-course-selling, this one pulls no punches. We talk Andy Elliott, Grant Cardone, Ryan Pineda, and the shady playbook behind monetized masculinity. If you’ve ever side-eyed a rented Lambo or rolled your eyes at “faith-based business coaching,” buckle up. Curtis is here to torch the cult — and he's bringing receipts.

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🔗 Curtis Lorincz's Links:

Personal Instagram

H&S Motocars Website

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

In this no-holds-barred episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied dissect the death of the American Dream through a lens only they can provide—one that blends biting humor with financial clarity. Picking up where episode 291 left off, they explore how corporate America broke the social contract: wages are down, debt is up, and company loyalty is officially dead. Chris opens up about his recent exit from corporate life, shedding light on how fear and financial insecurity trap most people in a cycle of compliance. From housing market madness to the real reason Jerome Powell wears purple ties, this one peels back the curtain on power, policy, and personal freedom.

➡️ But it’s not all doom and gloom. The crew also dives deep into what actually builds wealth—ownership, autonomy, and making your money work for you. They dismantle the myth that hard work alone gets you ahead, spotlighting the tax code’s favoritism toward business owners and investors over W2 employees. You'll hear stories of immigrant grit, generational wisdom, and why even your lemonade-stand-running kid might have a brighter financial future than most adults. If you’ve ever traded time for money or questioned the rat race, this episode is your wake-up call.

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🔗 Resources:

“If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” -Warren Buffett

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

🎙️ From grinding in a Taiwanese music studio for 12-hour days to running operations at one of the hottest streetwear brands on the planet, Jason Lu has lived a story most people wouldn’t believe — and probably couldn’t survive. In this episode, Chris sits down with Jason to talk about the reality behind the hype: grueling work, brutal lessons, and how authenticity can cut through a crowded, noisy industry.

➡️ From the early days of SoundCloud rappers and “blood money” merch to collaborating with On Running and dressing NBA players, Jason pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make it in music, merch, and fashion.

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🔗 Jason Lu's Links:

Personal Instagram

Pleasures Website

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Most of us grew up believing school was our golden ticket — a noble path to knowledge, success, and the elusive American Dream. Turns out, that dream was engineered to keep you obedient, predictable, and poor. In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeel peel back the curtain on the greatest con ever run on the masses: the education system. With wit, fire, and a touch of irreverence, they trace the origins of modern schooling to the Prussian model — a system deliberately designed to churn out soldiers, compliant workers, and docile consumers for industrialists like Rockefeller and Carnegie. It’s not a bug. It’s the feature.

➡️ We break down how the very structure of school — from its bells and rows to its obsession with grades — trains you to tolerate boredom, obey authority, and measure your worth by someone else’s approval. If you’ve ever wondered why entrepreneurship feels foreign, risk feels scary, and freedom feels unattainable, this is your wake-up call. The machine that conditioned you doesn’t even exist anymore, yet it’s still teaching you to fit in and punishing you if you don’t. Tune in as we expose the scam, laugh through the pain, and (most importantly) show you how to unlearn the lies — for yourself and your kids.

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🔗 Resources:

The Underground History of American Education, Volume I: An Intimate Investigation Into the Prison of Modern Schooling (Amazon)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Ever wonder how a kid rebuilding engines in his dad’s garage ends up shaping the off-road and Overland industries while dodging influencer clichés and crushing corporate glass ceilings? In this episode, Chris sits down with Matt Moghaddam — creative, entrepreneur, and all-around gearhead — to talk about his journey from customer service grunt to marketing director to magazine editor. From building Mustangs and Tacomas to navigating the Wild West of social media and brand deals, Matt reveals what it really takes to turn a passion into a career without losing your sanity (or your suspension).

➡️ We unpack why nobody actually “has it all figured out,” why the Overland craze may have peaked (and how to score a rooftop tent on Facebook Marketplace), and why growing too fast can ruin even the best business. Plus: customer service horror stories, Nordstrom tales, influencer marketing gripes, and how Larry the Cockroach became a studio mascot. If you’ve ever thought about quitting your day job to chase a dream — or just wondered where all those Sprinter vans went — this one’s for you.

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🔗 Parsa Vahid's Links:

Personal Instagram

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The U.S. economy is sending more mixed signals than a Gen Z relationship status. One minute, the S&P 500 is flirting with all-time highs, the next, the housing market's giving you whiplash with record prices and signs of a downturn. Is it a buyer’s market? Depends who you ask—and what city you’re in. Meanwhile, if you’ve been financing burritos with Buy Now, Pay Later, congratulations: it's now officially affecting your credit score. That’s right—your lunchtime debt just got real.

➡️ This episode is the financial equivalent of trying to read the tea leaves during a hurricane. The stock market’s partying like it’s 1999, Bitcoin is soaring on dollar weakness, and the Fed is quietly pretending they don’t see any of it. Plus, Jeff Bezos has a foam party on a yacht, and somehow that ties into prenups, choice-of-law clauses, and Chris being petty about FaceTime etiquette. Yeah, we went there.

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🔗 Resources:

Stunning turnaround: The stock market is on the precipice of an all-time record (CNN)

The US Treasury posted a $316 billion budget deficit in May (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

U.S. Home Prices Hit Record High (The Real Deal via Instagram)

The housing downturn is broadening (Nick Gerli via X)

Bitcoin Price Rises. These 2 Things Are Driving Crypto Higher (Barron’s)

Nearly Two Million Student-Loan Borrowers Are at Risk of Docked Pay This Summer (The Wall Street Journal)

Inside the Complex and Petty Prenups of the Superwealthy (The Wall Street Journal)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

What does it take to walk away from a stable career in engineering and build a boutique wealth advisory firm that manages hundreds of millions? In this episode, Chris and Saied sit down with Parsa Vahid, founder of Strand Life, to unpack that exact journey — from cold calls and 100% commission work to becoming the trusted financial strategist for high-net-worth families. Parsa shares how he navigated the pressure of legacy expectations, ditched a career that didn’t fit, and leaned into building a firm that handles everything from investments and tax planning to estate structures designed to protect families from, well… their own kids.

➡️ This one goes deep into the real mechanics of building wealth — not just for yourself, but for generations. You’ll hear candid takes on how most advisors fall short, what red flags to watch out for, and why financial literacy gaps don’t magically disappear when you hit seven figures. Whether you're trying to decide when to hire an advisor, how to leave your safe job, or what happens when you leave a windfall to someone wildly unprepared, this episode will make you think — and maybe even rethink your whole plan.

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🔗 Parsa Vahid's Links:

Business Website

Business Instagram

Personal Instagram

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

The Fed held rates steady — again — and while that might not sound sexy, it triggered a deep dive into the uncomfortable parallels between today’s economy and some of history’s most turbulent wartime recessions. Chris and Saied unpack Powell’s post-FOMC “dot plot shuffle,” exposing how forward guidance has become a PR game instead of a reliable economic compass. Spoiler: if you think shelter inflation is cooling fast, you’re probably still using a 3G data plan.

➡️ From Operation Iraqi Freedom to drone-led wars of tomorrow, the guys explore how conflict has become a recession trap — and not the kind that you wan to get stuck in. With unemployment lagging recession signals and AI creeping into defense strategy, the conversation gets heavy, insightful, and just the right amount of unhinged. Plus, if the U.S. government needs a Microsoft BI subscription to speed up their shelter data, Chris offers to cover it himself. That’s service.

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🔗 Resources:

Fed Holds Rates Steady and Keeps Door Open to Cuts (Wall Street Journal)

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank is beginning to see the price impacts of tariffs (CNBC via Instagram)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.