This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down the political crosscurrents driving market anxiety, from the abrupt pause of Kevin Warsh’s nomination hearing and a stunning regime change in Hungary to stalled U.S.–Iran talks and the ongoing issues with the Strait of Hormuz. They connect the dots to an economy showing strain: softer housing data, rattled small businesses, cautious hiring, rising input costs, and a Beige Book dominated by uncertainty. The picture isn’t quite recessionary, but it’s far from healthy. Plus, former Navy SEAL John Choate joins the show to share firsthand perspectives from overseas and how geopolitics looks when you’ve seen it up close.

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack where income taxes really hit hardest, why nearly a third of Americans owe nothing in federal income tax, and how mandatory spending has quietly taken over the budget. They also look at the fragile U.S.–Iran ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz, and why geopolitics still has markets, and policymakers, on edge. Plus, investing in the world of AI, and should you ever pause your 401(k) contributions?

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down calls from President Trump to step back from Middle East security, his push to exit the Iran conflict after crippling its nuclear and military capabilities, and Tehran’s demand for guarantees to prevent future aggression. We also look at why today’s oil price shocks matter less than they once did, how the U.S. economy has become far more energy‑efficient since the Gulf War era, and why the Fed is inclined to “wait and see” rather than react to temporary supply shocks. Plus, a timely policy shift from the Labor Department as new rules move 401(k) plans closer to private equity, private credit, crypto, and other alternatives, providing clearer fiduciary cover for plan managers. Also, segments on "Direct Indexing" and who should be listed as the taxpayer in your household?