2025 End of Quarter Performance… How Did You Do
Money Tree Investing
Today we talk the end of quarter performance for quarter two of 2025. How did you do? We also cover a wide range of economic and market topics, beginning with the complexities of investing in artificial intelligence, lessons on succession planning, leadership transitions, and the importance of understanding demographic and power dynamics in both politics and investing. We note that large-cap growth, tech, and industrials led Q2 performance, while energy and real estate lagged. Mounting debt, rising delinquencies, and wage garnishment were cited as signs of economic stress, especially among...
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The Art of Shaving with Eric Malka
Money Tree Investing
Eric Malka shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. as a 17-year-old immigrant with $100 to co-founding The Art of Shaving, a brand that redefined men’s grooming by turning shaving into a premium ritual experience. He explains how a chance job in men’s grooming and exposure to traditional shaving culture in London inspired him to bring the concept to the U.S., where he and his wife opened their first store using natural ingredients and a four-step shaving system. Eric attributes their rapid growth and eventual acquisition by Procter & Gamble to their emotional connection with...
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AI Just Taught Me This Cool Thing… It is Amazing
Money Tree Investing
AI just taught me this cool thing... keep on listening to find out what it is! Today we talk about the massive and fast-moving implications of AI. We share the personal experiences with how AI challenges traditional business structures and workflows, requiring users to reimagine how work is done. We also explores how AI may replace many functions within organizations, from marketing to operations, while still lacking in areas like math accuracy and sales conversations. We also talk about Mary Meeker’s AI report, noting unprecedented user adoption, the rapid rise of global competitors like...
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Commodity Cycles And Investor Sentiment Secrets
Money Tree Investing
Mukarram Mawjood is here to share on commodity cycles and investor sentiment secrets. He discusses his focus on alternative assets including precious metals, crypto, and real estate, highlighting silver as his top current pick due to its price lag behind gold and significant upside potential. He explains how gold’s recent surge has largely priced in geopolitical risk, while silver remains undervalued despite industrial demand. He also touches on market psychology, gold-to-silver ratios, and how cryptocurrencies are increasingly competing with gold as alternative stores of value. We...
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War in the Middle East. Is AI the Cause?
Money Tree Investing
There is war in the middle east again! Today we talk about the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran, with speculation that the U.S. may be involved indirectly. Media narratives are particularly frustrating, with uncertainty and conflicting reports make it difficult to know what’s truly happening. This definitely parallels the financial markets, particularly with how differing narratives shape reactions during times of volatility with many often making moves on perception rather than confirmed facts. The war could potentially impact on oil prices and inflation among other...
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Breaking Finance with Blockchain with Matthew Le Merle
Money Tree Investing
Matthew Le Merle joined the podcast to discuss his journey from a consulting background to breaking finance with blockchain. He explains how he and his wife Alison pivoted to blockchain after recognizing it as the next major wave of digital value creation following the internet era. He breaks down the differences between blockchain, crypto, and DeFi, and shares how the financial industry is slow to adapt due to outdated systems and vested interests. While adoption may seem slow, it's actually progressing rapidly by historical standards, and transformation remains inevitable no matter...
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The #1 Investment You Can Make in AI is…
Money Tree Investing
AI is causing a big disruption but the number 1 investment you can make in AI is learn it before you get left behind! Today we talk on the cultural, societal, and economic disruption caused by AI, comparing its transformative potential to that of the industrial age. While traditional frameworks—like working for purpose, identity, and productivity—are deeply ingrained in modern life, AI is rapidly eroding these norms by replacing jobs and altering what it means to be valuable in the workforce. Despite the uncertainty and anxiety around obsolescence, the best current investment is learning...
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The Money-Smart Solopreneur with Laura Adams
Money Tree Investing
Laura Adams shares her journey into personal finance, podcasting, and authorship with her new book Money-Smart Solopreneur. She shares how she transitioned from corporate finance aspirations to helping individuals improve their money management through writing and podcasting. She discusses the evolution of book publishing, the growing need for supplemental income due to inflation and stagnant wages by starting side businesses, and practical advice on identifying marketable skills. We discuss... Laura Adams has worked in personal finance for nearly 15 years, transitioning from a corporate...
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AI Will Change Your Life in Surprising Ways
Money Tree Investing
AI will change your life! Are you ready? Today we dive into the evolving landscape of AI, the capabilities and limitations of current AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini, and why most users don't get the results they truly want. While AI is a very powerful but immature tool, learning how to use it effectively will help you to stay relevant in the workforce and can benefit your personal life as well. AI disruption is inevitable and potentially beneficial but it also raises serious questions about human adaptability for a rapidly changing future. We discuss... Douglas Heagren | ...
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How the MLS is Destroying Your Real Estate Investment Strategy
Money Tree Investing
Barbara Friedberg | Follow on Facebook: Follow LinkedIn: Follow on Twitter/X: For more information, visit the show notes at
info_outlineElection season upon us so you know that there will be an irrational impact of politics that is going to hit the market this fall. We also discuss the aging of political figures like Joe Biden and Donald Trump, and the impact of stress on leaders. We explore generational cycles, particularly the "Fourth Turning" theory, and reflect on media influence and propaganda, both in the U.S. and globally.
Today we discuss...
- The U.S. presidential candidates and the physical and mental demands of the campaign trail, especially for older politicians.
- They explore the concept of "fourth turning" and generational cycles of conflict, predicting ongoing societal tensions.
- Global perspectives on the U.S. are discussed, contrasting media portrayals and public opinions abroad
- How "truth" is often subjective, shaped by perspective and opinion, especially in political contexts.
- Both sides in a debate typically view the other as misinformed or evil, leading to a polarized environment.
- The upcoming election period is expected to be filled with misinformation and humor, as political discourse tends to devolve.
- Investment markets exhibit similar behavior, where individuals often believe they can predict outcomes, leading to misguided confidence.
- Historical economic events, such as the housing market in the late '90s and 2007, demonstrate patterns of irrational behavior among investors.
- Wall Street often presents a biased perspective, promoting buying to maintain market stability and profits.
- People become emotionally invested in their stocks or political affiliations, which clouds their judgment and objectivity.
- Discussions of gold, silver, and cryptocurrency reveal that tangible assets are often viewed as safe havens in uncertain economic climates.
- Emotional decision-making plays a significant role in how individuals approach investments, especially concerning real estate versus stocks.
Today's Panelists:
Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners
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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/irrational-impact-of-politics-647