Thoughtful Money with Adam Taggart

Ryan Bohl, a Mideast analyst at RANE, provides an incisive look at the current turmoil in Iran, fueled by economic collapse and political strife. He discusses the scale of protests, highlighting their significance compared to past uprisings. Bohl addresses U.S. foreign policy, including Trump's conditional support for protesters and potential tariffs. The conversation delves into public sentiment within Iran, examining the generational divide and aspirations for reform. Bohl concludes with insights on the complex dynamics of regime change and the region's stability.

In this discussion, Stephanie Pomboy, a macro strategist and founder of MacroMavens, shares her insights on the booming commodities market and the intense geopolitical landscape. She predicts a wild ride in 2026, driven by aggressive fiscal policies and potential inflation. Stephanie argues for holding onto precious metals amid dollar pressures and discusses how global events could reshape energy flows. She also raises concerns about social stability and urges building personal resilience amidst shifting market dynamics.

In this insightful conversation, Ed Dowd, founder of Phinance Technologies, delves into the potential for a significant market downturn by 2026 due to 'kooky' valuations and economic weakness. He discusses the housing market's overvaluation, critiquing current policies aimed at propping it up. Dowd also examines geopolitical shifts, China's risky growth outlook, and the likely impacts on global trade. With warnings on tech valuations and labor market stress, he suggests necessary adjustments for future stability.

Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck and a leading authority in asset management, shares insights on the market outlook for 2026. He discusses a 'Risk On' year with improving fiscal deficits and implications for monetary policy. Jan highlights the easing inflation pressure and the gradual impact of AI on jobs. He points out the resurgence of gold as a global currency and offers cautious views on Bitcoin, while identifying promising opportunities in private credit and select cryptocurrencies. Don’t miss his asset checklist for 2026!

Lance Roberts, a seasoned portfolio manager from RealInvestmentAdvice, shares insights on future market corrections, predicting at least two 5-10% drops in 2026 due to current market conditions. He explores the implications of recent jobs data, GDP growth, and geopolitical surprises on investor sentiment. Additionally, Lance introduces a new factor rotation model while advising cautious investment strategies. He emphasizes the importance of individual country evaluations in international equity investing and warns against the risks of speculative options trading.

Michael Howell, Founder and CEO of Crossborder Capital, is back with insights on global liquidity cycles and market trends. He predicts that liquidity has peaked, forecasting lower stock prices through 2026. Howell highlights the divergence between a stronger real economy and weakening financial markets, while cautioning investors about rising risks. He discusses asset classes to favor, emphasizing commodities and bonds, and offers advice on navigating the upcoming tough market stretch. Stay tuned for his compelling take on China’s liquidity impacts and strategies for challenging times ahead.

Neil Howe, a demographer and co-author of 'The Fourth Turning,' discusses profound changes in society and markets during the current Fourth Turning. He highlights significant themes like internal conflict and financial crashes, suggesting these could be features rather than bugs. Neil warns of extreme market valuations, emphasizing behavioral forces like FOMO driving market overshoot. He links rising inequality to political pressures and examines the social impacts of technology and AI. Lastly, he offers practical advice for personal preparedness in these uncertain times.

In this engaging discussion, Andy Schectman, CEO of Miles Franklin, dives into silver's recent price fluctuations and whether the boom has peaked. He explains how CME margin hikes have affected speculators and analyzes the bullish signals from record COMEX deliveries. Andy also touches on the implications of China's export restrictions and rising retail interest in precious metals. With bold predictions, he suggests silver could hit $100 or even $200, while advising on strategic allocations between silver and gold.

Lance Roberts, a seasoned portfolio manager and market commentator, shares his insights into the current stock market landscape. He unveils concerns about overvalued stocks and discusses the likelihood of mean reversion by 2026. Inflation and bond yield forecasts hint at economic moderation, while jobs growth shows signs of weakness. Lance also emphasizes the importance of risk management in investment strategies, advocating for defensive trades amidst market volatility. Plus, he delves into the implications of recent trades in silver and housing market challenges.

Kirk Sorensen, President and Chief Technologist at Flibe Energy, passionately unpacks the potential of thorium as a game changer for nuclear energy. He discusses China's advancements in molten-salt technologies, highlighting thorium's superior fuel efficiency—200 times better than uranium. Sorensen explains the safety benefits of molten-salt reactors, including lower meltdown risks and fewer radioactive waste concerns. He critiques U.S. policy's historical bias toward uranium and discusses how thorium could turn existing nuclear waste into new energy sources.