In this episode, Chris, Saied and Rajeil dive face-first into the chaos Washington left behind after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history — and surprise, surprise: the data we rely on to understand the economy might be "permanently broken." With CPI and jobs reports delayed, distorted, or potentially never released at all, the guys unpack what happens when policymakers, investors, and everyday Americans are flying blind. Add in whispers of shadow revisions, missing reports, and political spin, and suddenly “the data is fake” feels less like a meme and more like a macroeconomic red flag.

➡️ But that’s not all. The job market is flashing warnings, the housing market is handing out 50-year mortgages like party favors, and the government’s “we’ll fix it later” approach is aging about as well as a warm gas station sushi roll. Chris and Saied strip away the noise, break down the numbers, and ask the uncomfortable questions no one else wants to touch. If you’re tired of sugar-coated narratives and want the real story behind the headlines, this episode is your financial reality check — delivered with the usual THS wit, skepticism, and a couple of perfectly timed eye rolls.

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🔗 Resources:

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures slip as longest government shutdown in history nears end (Yahoo! Finance)

Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram)

Boston Fed's Collins: The bar for cutting rates further is 'relatively high,' sees holding for 'some time' (Yahoo! Finance)

Bostic announces retirement amid Trump push for more influence over Fed (Reuters)

⚠️ 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, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil dive head-first into the fiery mess that is America’s housing market. Where even 0% mortgage rates wouldn’t make homes affordable, and Buffett and Zillow are suddenly on the same side of the doomsday table. From the longest government shutdown in U.S. history to first-time homebuyers now averaging forty (because apparently adulting got delayed a decade), the guys break down why affordability has officially left the chat and how the “Zero Interest Rate Period” turned into the world’s most expensive hangover.

➡️ Then it gets spicy... Michael Burry is back, betting billions against AI and the stock market like it’s 2008 all over again. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett quietly agrees the math no longer works, and The Higher Standard crew connect the dots between social frustration, rising socialism vibes, and a government that can’t even pay its own bills. Equal parts data, sarcasm, and therapy session — this one’s a masterclass in how to laugh through an economic meltdown.

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🔗 Resources:

The US government shutdown (The Kobeissi Letter via X )

US government shutdown enters 36th day to become longest in history (The Guardian)

The profitability of investing in real estate has declined (Nick Gerli via X)

US Median First-Time Homebuyer Age Now at Record-High of 40 (Bloomberg)

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Zillow say mortgage rates can’t fall enough for Americans to afford a home (Fortune)

Housing market turnover is at a 30-year low amid real estate deep-freeze (Business Insider)

'Big Short' Michael Burry bet against Palantir and Nvidia (Business Insider)

⚠️ 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 says it’s “flying blind,” but somehow keeps reaching for the autopilot. In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil break down the latest 25-basis-point rate cut and the confusing logic behind Jerome Powell’s “data-driven” decision-making... made without, well… the data. From the Beige Book to balance-sheet shrinkage (and yes, the jokes write themselves), the guys dissect how the Fed’s moves are shaping jobs, mortgages, and the markets. All while Powell looks like he’s literally in bed with A.I.

➡️ Picture J.P. himself, post-press conference, lounging in a robe, cigarette in hand, with a grinning robot by his side. It’s the perfect metaphor for an economy seduced by artificial intelligence and easy money. Meanwhile the rest of us wonder who’s really in control. The team dives into the absurdity, the economics, and the existential dread of our new robot overlords, all with the wit, sarcasm, and brutal honesty only The Higher Standard can deliver.

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🔗 Resources:

Fed Cuts Rates by Another Quarter Point, but Future Cuts Are ‘Far From’ Certain (The Wall Street Journal)

Repo and Reverse Repo Agreements (Federal Reserve Bank of New York)

⚠️ 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 red flags are flying high... and no, we’re not talking about your ex. In this episode, Chris and Saied take a brutally honest look at the economic signals that everyone seems determined to ignore. (The Fighting Fijian, Rajeil was on leave for this episode.) From inflation’s sneaky comeback to the quiet unraveling of corporate debt, they break down the numbers, the narratives, and the nonsense behind America’s “everything is fine” façade. If you think the Fed has this under control, buckle up... because history says otherwise.

➡️ But this isn’t your average doomscroll session. The guys go beyond the headlines to unpack how these warning signs actually affect you: your job, your mortgage, your portfolio, and your peace of mind. Expect laughs, data, and the kind of truth bombs only The Higher Standard delivers. It’s real talk about the economy without the jargon, hype, or 'hopium'... just a clear-eyed look at the meltdown we might already be living through.

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🔗 Resources:

Regional bank stocks are sliding again (EndGame Macro via X)

The alleged ‘sweeping betrayal of trust’ that rocked Zions bank and spooked Wall Street (CNBC)

More Americans are falling behind on their auto loan payments. Here's why. (CBS News)

Percentage home price declines from their respective highs in prior years (Darth Powell via X)

Gold climbs on rate-cut bets, broader uncertainty; investors eye US-China trade talks (Reuters)

Disney Needs One Franchise To Return After Tron: Ares' Box Office Failure (Screen Rant)

Why are many of the year’s buzziest films failing to make a profit at the box office? (Variety)

⚠️ 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.

When someone looks too good to be true online, they probably are! And we’re putting that theory to the test. In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil invite listeners to submit the Instagram handles of “professionals” who might just be full-time finessers in disguise. From fake real estate moguls to lifestyle coaches with mysteriously rented Lambos, the crew breaks down how to spot a scammer before your wallet does.

➡️ But this isn’t just about calling out nonsense, it’s about teaching you how to separate the signal from the scam. The hosts dissect why so many people fall for polished frauds, the psychology of digital deception, and how clout has become the new currency of credibility. It’s part social experiment, part financial intervention, and fully hilarious.

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🔗 Resources:

We don't link to scammers.

⚠️ 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.

Artificial Intelligence has gone off the rails, private equity’s running out of cash, and venture capital’s throwing billions at anything with a “A.I.” in the name... welcome to Episode 304. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil unpack how Sora 2.0 just erased the line between real and fake, how 41 stocks now make up nearly half the S&P 500, and why every startup pitch sounds like a bad ChatGPT prompt. Sprinkle in a dash of market concentration risk, a splash of FOMO-fueled insanity, and you’ve got a recipe for the next great bubble.

➡️ But the gang doesn’t stop there. They dig into the dark side of private equity: the vintage funds running on fumes, the liquidity crunch nobody wants to admit, and what happens when inflated A.I. valuations meet leveraged balance sheets. Mix in a little immature humor, a few uncomfortable truths, and the kind of laughter that comes right before the crash, and you’ve got the brutally honest breakdown only The Higher Standard can deliver.

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🔗 Resources:

How Much of the S&P 500 Is AI Related Stocks? (Jim Bianco via X)

Venture capitalists have poured a record $192.7 billion into AI startups YTD (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

Private equity in general is totally hosed (The All-In Podcast via X)

⚠️ 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.

Everyone keeps talking about the “Great Wealth Transfer” like it’s some mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But here’s the reality: the rich aren’t exactly lining up to hand you their keys to the kingdom. Between tax loopholes, estate strategies, and the fact that most heirs are just as debt-happy as everyone else, the so-called wealth transfer looks more like a magician’s sleight of hand than a generational payday. Spoiler: if you’re waiting around for this miracle to hit your bank account, you’re going to be waiting a very long time.

➡️ In this episode, Chris, Saied and Rajeil tear into the headlines, decode the market noise, and break down why the “great wealth transfer” narrative is just another shiny distraction. From volatility bets on Wall Street to the political circus surrounding a potential government shutdown, we cut through the hype with a mix of cold, hard facts and the occasional sarcasm that CNBC can’t deliver.

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🔗 Resources:

US households have massive exposure to equities (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

Renting is no longer just a stepping stone for young 20-somethings (Amy Nixon via X)

The bottom 50% of U.S. households have historically had little exposure to stocks (Stock Market News via X)

Rise of the ‘Accidental Landlords’ Is Bad News for Investors Who Bet Big on Rentals (The Wall Street Journal)

By the end of Q4 2025, there will be more 6% mortgages than sub-3% mortgages (Nick Gerli via X)

⚠️ 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 headlines are screaming “Housing Boom,” but we’re here to ask—boom for who? In episode 302 of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied cut through the CNBC hype, breaking down why those shiny new home sales numbers don’t tell the whole story. Spoiler: it’s not buyers suddenly feeling rich, it’s builders slashing prices and handing out incentives like Halloween candy. From Lennar’s margins getting crushed, to the wild affordability math that shows just how far we’ve drifted from reality, the housing market isn’t booming—it’s bargaining.

➡️ But housing isn’t the only thing flashing red. Powell’s latest speech, a youth unemployment spike that should terrify policymakers, and the Buffett Indicator screaming “overvalued” louder than ever, all collide in one jam-packed week of economic chaos. Add in a record-breaking concentration of power in the Magnificent 7 stocks, and you’ve got a market that looks more like Vegas than Wall Street. No fluff, no sugarcoating—just the unfiltered breakdown you’ve come to expect from The Higher Standard.

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🔗 Resources:

New home sales soar 20% in August to a three-year high (CNBC)

2024 Fannie Mae home price affordability (Lance Lambert via X)

Lennar’s gross margin on home sales (Lance Lambert via X )

Lennar is showing you what has to happen in the housing market to drive sales (Nick Gerli via X)

The two largest residential real estate brokerage are combining (Lance Lambert via X)

Shocking stat of the day (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

Buffett Indicator (Current Market Valuation)

⚠️ 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 finally pulled the trigger on its first rate cut of the year, but before you pop champagne, let’s ask the real question: who actually benefits? Wall Street’s partying like it’s 1999, the top 10% are still swiping cards like money grows on trees, and Jerome Powell is out here trying to convince everyone the house isn’t on fire. Meanwhile, middle-class families are staring down credit card bills, mortgages, and a job market that feels more like musical chairs with fewer chairs every month.

➡️ We’re breaking down the “two-tier economy” McDonald’s CEO warned about, why mortgage refis just spiked harder than a college frat party, and how side hustles have gone from optional to survival gear for millions of Americans. This isn’t CNBC soundbites or sugar-coated headlines — it’s The Higher Standard, where we strip the spin, call out the nonsense, and give you the real story behind the Fed’s move.

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🔗 Resources:

Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for the first time this year (NBC News)

The top 10% of income earners in the US now account for nearly half of all consumer spending, a record high (Charlie Bilello via X)

Mortgage refinance demand spikes nearly 60%, as interest rates drop sharply (CNBC)

Recession risk remains uncomfortably high (Mark Zandi via X)

38% of Americans have taken on jobs to cover debts — how the rise of the reluctant hustler is rewiring careers (Money Wise)

⚠️ 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.

Three hundred episodes in and the Fed is still the main character. In this milestone episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil dissect Jerome Powell’s latest balancing act — walking the tightrope between cooling inflation and keeping the jobs market afloat. The crew pulls apart the latest employment data, digging into what the numbers really say versus the spin you’re being sold.

➡️ And just when you thought Wall Street was enough of a circus, Robinhood steps back into the spotlight with its latest moves — proving once again that retail trading isn’t just about apps and charts, it’s about influence and psychology. Episode 300 delivers exactly what you’d expect from The Higher Standard: sharp analysis, sarcasm that stings, and the kind of perspective you won’t get from the talking heads on TV.

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🔗 Resources:

US judge temporarily blocks Trump from removing Fed Governor Cook (Reuters)

Job Revisions and the Trump Economy (Wall Street Journal)

Stagflation jitters grow after steepest jobs downgrade in decades (Yahoo! Finance)

Stagflation: 5 signs that economy's worst-case scenario is inching closer (Business Insider)

Robinhood Aims Social Platform at Reddit’s WallStreetBets (Bloomberg via Yahoo! Finance)

⚠️ 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.