The Higher Standard

When someone looks too good to be true online, they probably are! And we’re putting that theory to the test. In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil invite listeners to submit the Instagram handles of “professionals” who might just be full-time finessers in disguise. From fake real estate moguls to lifestyle coaches with mysteriously rented Lambos, the crew breaks down how to spot a scammer before your wallet does.➡️ But this isn’t just about calling out nonsense, it’s about teaching you how to separate the signal from the scam. The hosts dissect why so many people fall for polished frauds, the psychology of digital deception, and how clout has become the new currency of credibility. It’s part social experiment, part financial intervention, and fully hilarious.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:We don't link to scammers.⚠️ 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.

Artificial Intelligence has gone off the rails, private equity’s running out of cash, and venture capital’s throwing billions at anything with a “A.I.” in the name... welcome to Episode 304. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil unpack how Sora 2.0 just erased the line between real and fake, how 41 stocks now make up nearly half the S&P 500, and why every startup pitch sounds like a bad ChatGPT prompt. Sprinkle in a dash of market concentration risk, a splash of FOMO-fueled insanity, and you’ve got a recipe for the next great bubble.➡️ But the gang doesn’t stop there. They dig into the dark side of private equity: the vintage funds running on fumes, the liquidity crunch nobody wants to admit, and what happens when inflated A.I. valuations meet leveraged balance sheets. Mix in a little immature humor, a few uncomfortable truths, and the kind of laughter that comes right before the crash, and you’ve got the brutally honest breakdown only The Higher Standard can deliver.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:How Much of the S&P 500 Is AI Related Stocks? (Jim Bianco via X)Venture capitalists have poured a record $192.7 billion into AI startups YTD (The Kobeissi Letter via X)Private equity in general is totally hosed (The All-In Podcast 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.

Everyone keeps talking about the “Great Wealth Transfer” like it’s some mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But here’s the reality: the rich aren’t exactly lining up to hand you their keys to the kingdom. Between tax loopholes, estate strategies, and the fact that most heirs are just as debt-happy as everyone else, the so-called wealth transfer looks more like a magician’s sleight of hand than a generational payday. Spoiler: if you’re waiting around for this miracle to hit your bank account, you’re going to be waiting a very long time.➡️ In this episode, Chris, Saied and Rajeil tear into the headlines, decode the market noise, and break down why the “great wealth transfer” narrative is just another shiny distraction. From volatility bets on Wall Street to the political circus surrounding a potential government shutdown, we cut through the hype with a mix of cold, hard facts and the occasional sarcasm that CNBC can’t deliver. 💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:US households have massive exposure to equities (The Kobeissi Letter via X)Renting is no longer just a stepping stone for young 20-somethings (Amy Nixon via X)The bottom 50% of U.S. households have historically had little exposure to stocks (Stock Market News via X)Rise of the ‘Accidental Landlords’ Is Bad News for Investors Who Bet Big on Rentals (The Wall Street Journal)By the end of Q4 2025, there will be more 6% mortgages than sub-3% mortgages (Nick Gerli 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.

The headlines are screaming “Housing Boom,” but we’re here to ask—boom for who? In episode 302 of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied cut through the CNBC hype, breaking down why those shiny new home sales numbers don’t tell the whole story. Spoiler: it’s not buyers suddenly feeling rich, it’s builders slashing prices and handing out incentives like Halloween candy. From Lennar’s margins getting crushed, to the wild affordability math that shows just how far we’ve drifted from reality, the housing market isn’t booming—it’s bargaining.➡️ But housing isn’t the only thing flashing red. Powell’s latest speech, a youth unemployment spike that should terrify policymakers, and the Buffett Indicator screaming “overvalued” louder than ever, all collide in one jam-packed week of economic chaos. Add in a record-breaking concentration of power in the Magnificent 7 stocks, and you’ve got a market that looks more like Vegas than Wall Street. No fluff, no sugarcoating—just the unfiltered breakdown you’ve come to expect from The Higher Standard.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:New home sales soar 20% in August to a three-year high (CNBC)2024 Fannie Mae home price affordability (Lance Lambert via X)Lennar’s gross margin on home sales (Lance Lambert via X )Lennar is showing you what has to happen in the housing market to drive sales (Nick Gerli via X)The two largest residential real estate brokerage are combining (Lance Lambert via X)Shocking stat of the day (The Kobeissi Letter via X)Buffett Indicator (Current Market Valuation)⚠️ 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.

The Fed finally pulled the trigger on its first rate cut of the year, but before you pop champagne, let’s ask the real question: who actually benefits? Wall Street’s partying like it’s 1999, the top 10% are still swiping cards like money grows on trees, and Jerome Powell is out here trying to convince everyone the house isn’t on fire. Meanwhile, middle-class families are staring down credit card bills, mortgages, and a job market that feels more like musical chairs with fewer chairs every month.➡️ We’re breaking down the “two-tier economy” McDonald’s CEO warned about, why mortgage refis just spiked harder than a college frat party, and how side hustles have gone from optional to survival gear for millions of Americans. This isn’t CNBC soundbites or sugar-coated headlines — it’s The Higher Standard, where we strip the spin, call out the nonsense, and give you the real story behind the Fed’s move.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for the first time this year (NBC News) The top 10% of income earners in the US now account for nearly half of all consumer spending, a record high (Charlie Bilello via X)Mortgage refinance demand spikes nearly 60%, as interest rates drop sharply (CNBC)Recession risk remains uncomfortably high (Mark Zandi via X)38% of Americans have taken on jobs to cover debts — how the rise of the reluctant hustler is rewiring careers (Money Wise)⚠️ 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.

Three hundred episodes in and the Fed is still the main character. In this milestone episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil dissect Jerome Powell’s latest balancing act — walking the tightrope between cooling inflation and keeping the jobs market afloat. The crew pulls apart the latest employment data, digging into what the numbers really say versus the spin you’re being sold.➡️ And just when you thought Wall Street was enough of a circus, Robinhood steps back into the spotlight with its latest moves — proving once again that retail trading isn’t just about apps and charts, it’s about influence and psychology. Episode 300 delivers exactly what you’d expect from The Higher Standard: sharp analysis, sarcasm that stings, and the kind of perspective you won’t get from the talking heads on TV.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 📩 NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/hLykI1👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:US judge temporarily blocks Trump from removing Fed Governor Cook (Reuters)Job Revisions and the Trump Economy (Wall Street Journal)Stagflation jitters grow after steepest jobs downgrade in decades (Yahoo! Finance)Stagflation: 5 signs that economy's worst-case scenario is inching closer (Business Insider)Robinhood Aims Social Platform at Reddit’s WallStreetBets (Bloomberg via Yahoo! Finance)⚠️ 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 of The Higher Standard is a cocktail of Fed-watching, real talk, and the kind of banter only we can pull off. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil rip into the upcoming FOMC meeting, breaking down why a rate cut is basically baked in and why the real drama is all about Powell’s spin at the mic. We cover everything from nonfarm payroll revisions to bond market chess moves, and even take a detour into real estate Twitter beefs that prove “demand without affordability is not demand.” If you’ve ever wanted to know how politics, Wall Street, and your mortgage payment all collide in one giant economic soap opera, this one’s for you.➡️ But don’t get it twisted. We still find time to roast bad reviews, gossip about Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating strategy, and debate whether OnlyFans has an app (spoiler: it doesn’t). There’s merch talk, newsletter hacks, and the occasional foot fetish confession. By the time we wrap, you’ll know why Powell’s ties matter, why housing prices feel like Lamborghinis, and why episode 300 might just involve port wine, air mattresses, and regrettable decisions. Welcome to the number one financial literacy podcast in the world where economics meets entertainment, and we somehow make both make sense.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:FedWatch (Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group)Higher 'core' inflation reading unlikely to knock Fed off course for rate cut in September (Yahoo! Finance)⚠️ 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.

We open light... Amex perks, Saks talk, and Chris’ infamous “no flip-flops” code—then slam straight into the heavy stuff: a President publicly leaning on the Fed to cut rates and targeting Governor Lisa Cook over mortgage-fraud allegations. Can a President remove a Fed official “for cause”? We unpack the precedent, the legal gray, and why Fed independenceactually matters. Plus, Powell’s Jackson Hole comments and how a few words swung rate-cut odds—and markets—fast.➡️ Then we zoom out: what politicized monetary policy means for investors, borrowers, and the election-year economy. Finally, a sharp turn into tech: Apple’s puzzling strategy (a thinner iPhone—really?) versus the real arms race—AI. We debate foldables, whether Apple will plug in third-party AI (ChatGPT or Google), and why the next big leap has to be usefulness, not just sleekness. Keywords you’ll care about: Trump vs the Fed, Lisa Cook, rate cuts, Jerome Powell, Jackson Hole, Apple, iPhone, AI.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Money grows on the tree of persistence. —Japanese proverb⚠️ 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.

When Trump tells a Fed governor to resign over “mortgage fraud,” you know it’s not about the mortgage. In this episode, Chris, Saied, and Rajeil peel back the layers on political theater, headline manipulation, and the not-so-subtle art of bullying the Fed. From LBJ literally grabbing his Fed chair by the lapels to Nixon strong-arming rates before an election, the crew shows how history repeats itself — only now, the stage is Twitter and Truth Social instead of Texas ranches and secret tapes.➡️ But this isn’t just about politics. It’s about how perception drives markets more than policy — and why mortgage fraud isn’t always the Wall Street-sized scandal it sounds like. The guys break down what “occupancy fraud” really means, why banks often look the other way, and how weaponizing technicalities against political opponents cheapens the entire system. Add in some comedy about red-eye flights, cream-cheese pretzels, and fried chicken ice cream, and you’ve got classic THS: irreverent, unfiltered, and just educational enough to make you dangerous at your next dinner party.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Fed governor Cook responds after President Trump says she 'must resign' (Yahoo! Finance)Fed Found Over 22,000 Mortgages Like Those Pulte Is Flagging (Bloomberg)What Is Mortgage Occupancy Fraud, the Claim Wielded by the Trump Administration? (Wall Street Journal)⚠️ 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 of The Higher Standard pulls back the curtain on the Fed’s $2 trillion “magic trick” that never makes the headlines. Chris, Saied, and Rajeil break down how the overnight reverse repo facility works like a no-risk money parking garage for banks—one so massive it once held enough cash to buy every home in New York City twice. Add in a little history lesson on the Fed literally locking away gold in the 1930s to keep money out of circulation, and you’ve got a playbook of hidden levers that shape the economy while the average person is left scratching their head. Spoiler: it’s less about Main Street and more about keeping Wall Street on life support.➡️ But this isn’t just charts and jargon—expect sushi horror stories, octopus debates, Hulk Hogan controversies, and even a detour into alien tech possibly cruising toward Earth (thanks, Harvard). The crew wrestles with the big question: are these financial maneuvers protecting consumers, or just quietly bailing out the system? Either way, the laughs hit as hard as the lessons. Welcome back to the only financial literacy podcast that can connect the Fed’s shadow moves to turtle mating rituals without missing a beat.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🔗 Resources:Comet 3I/ATLAS (Nasa)Hulk Hogan listening to Young Jeezy (YouTube)⚠️ 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.