The audio is above.

Consumer confidence is ticking upward, and for the first time in a while, it feels like people might be seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Nobody’s sure what that light is, but at least it’s something other than the wall.

That optimism runs straight into reality in San Francisco, where a former nonprofit CEO is charged with allegedly misappropriating more than a million dollars meant to help low-income and homeless residents. Confidence, it turns out, is very situational.

And finally, dating in 2026, where a viral “celebrity crush test” is reportedly being used to judge emotional awareness. Romance now comes with quizzes, interpretations, and the risk of failing based on what your answer means, not what it is.

Confidence is up.Trust is fragile.And everyone seems to be arguing over what the light actually represents.

Sources mentioned in this episode:RealClearMarketsCBS Bay AreaNew York Post

If you’re listening regularly and haven’t subscribed yet, that’s how you get this every weekday.

Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fingersmalloy.substack.com