In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris, Saied and Rajeil break down a market that feels more like a casino than a pricing mechanism, from Trump-driven headline volatility and bond market warning signs to rising oil risks, shaky Fed cut expectations, and why the stock market may be ignoring the bigger problem entirely. They dig into the growing disconnect between equities and Treasuries, the real inflation threat hiding in energy, the possibility that the Fed may be forced to hike instead of cut, and why housing, flipping, and rate-sensitive assets are all flashing caution signs. Along the way, they also go off on AI addiction, productivity pressure, geopolitical chaos, and the uncomfortable reality that in a world run by algorithms, hype, and revisions, staying “plugged in” is no longer optional. This one is part macro breakdown, part group therapy, and fully THS.

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This episode is proudly brought to you by Fridays.

Because real wealth starts with your health. If you want to feel sharper, stronger, and more in control, visit joinfridays.com and use code HIGHER for an exclusive discount.

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🔗 Resources:

$3 Trillion SPX Swing in 56 Minutes (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

Trump Postpones Iran Strikes 5 Days (WSJ via Apple News)

20-Year Treasury Briefly Crosses 5.00% (CNBC)

2-Year Note Auction: Bid-to-Cover 2.44 (Seeking Alpha)

Fed's Goolsbee: Could See Rate Hikes If Inflation Gets Out of Control (MarketWatch)

⚠️ 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.

Jerome Powell hit pause, but the economy definitely didn’t. In Episode 327, Chris and Saied break down a Fed that still looks stubbornly out of step with reality, a private credit market flashing louder warning signs than most of Wall Street wants to admit, and fresh housing data that makes the affordability crisis impossible to spin away. From rising default rates and redemption freezes in private credit to oil shock risk, sticky inflation, AI-driven job disruption, and a market still clinging to rate-cut fantasies, this episode is a sharp, funny, and brutally honest look at an economy being propped up by debt, narrative, and hope. It sounds grim because it is grim, but as always, THS is less about panic and more about spotting where the next real opportunity gets created in the wreckage.

💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?

This episode is proudly brought to you by Fridays.

Because real wealth starts with your health. If you want to feel sharper, stronger, and more in control, visit joinfridays.com and use code HIGHER for an exclusive discount.

📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv

👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com

🔗 Resources:

Fed Chair Powell says that he will serve as Fed Chair until his successor is confirmed (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram)

Private Credit Default Rate Surpasses 2008 Crisis Peak (@tftc21 via X)

The $265 Billion Private Credit Meltdown: How Wall Street's Hottest Investment Craze Turned Into a Panic (Fortune via Yahoo Finance)

February 2026 Home Sales: 4.09 Million — Lowest Since 2009 (@nickgerli1 via X)

Top 10% of Earners Account for Nearly Half of All U.S. Consumer Spending — Near-Record High (@andrewyang 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.

This episode is what happens when the economy shows up looking polished, but the mascara is running. Chris, Saied, and Rajeel break down the slow-motion mess unfolding across jobs, housing, private credit, and the Fed, while war, oil, and rate pressure lurk in the background like a tab nobody wants to pick up. It’s part macro breakdown, part group therapy, part comedy special... and somehow still one of the clearest explanations of why everything feels like it’s breaking at once.

💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?

This episode is proudly brought to you by Fridays.

Because real wealth starts with your health. If you want to feel sharper, stronger, and more in control, visit joinfridays.com and use code HIGHER for an exclusive discount.

📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv

👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com

🔗 Resources:

Federal judge quashes subpoenas of Fed Chair Jerome Powell (CNN)

Nonfarm Payroll Revisions — January 2026 Data (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

Lennar Q1 2026 Gross Margins are Lowest Since 2009 (Lance Lambert via X)

Housing Affordability Collapse: February Home Sales Hit 17-Year Low (Nick Gerli1 via X)

US Strategic Petroleum Reserve Hits Lowest Level Since the 1980s (The Kobeissi Letter via X)

Deutsche Bank Highlights Private Credit Risks as Portfolio Grows (Reuters 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.