The Higher Standard

In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied embark on a laugh-out-loud journey into the brave new world of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and why you might want to rethink your TikTok algorithm. From discussing how AI is turning banks into crystal ball-wielding financial wizards to debating whether robots will steal your job (spoiler: they’re coming for the lawyers first), it’s a rollercoaster of insight and hilarity. Oh, and if you think your browsing history is private, think again. AI is watching, and it knows you binge-watched that prison cooking channel.➡️ But wait, there’s more! Dive into the existential crises caused by quantum computing tapping into other dimensions (yes, really) and the terrifying potential of AI deciding which car accident is “best” for your family. If that doesn’t keep you up at night, maybe the realization that your digital assistant knows your buying habits better than you do will. Tune in for all this, plus shocking revelations about how AI is creating, saving, and possibly obliterating jobs across industries. And remember, your data is the product, folks—don’t let the chatbots tell you otherwise!💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:Sizing the prize: What’s the real value of AI for your business and how can you capitalize? (PWC)AI in Banking – An Analysis of America’s 7 Top Banks (Emerj)The Scientist vs. the Machine (The Atlantic)Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Mapping the Ethical Issues (Springer: The Journal of Ethics)AI is already taking video game illustrators’ jobs in China (Rest of World)⚠️ 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.

In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied tackle the growing emotional toll of money management and the chaos of California’s insurance market. Against the backdrop of the devastating Los Angeles fires, they unpack how insurers are fleeing high-risk areas, leaving homeowners with overpriced, bare-bones policies like the California Fair Plan. With homes underinsured and rebuilding costs skyrocketing, the financial stress for affected residents is a wildfire of its own.➡️ But it’s not all doom and gloom! Chris and Saied bring their signature wit to dissect the psychology of money stress, sharing practical strategies to stop freaking out about your finances and start taking control. From reevaluating your beliefs about money to understanding how your childhood shaped your spending habits, they keep it real and relatable. Whether you're overwhelmed by rising costs or just tired of flex culture on social media, this episode offers a roadmap to finding clarity and a little peace of mind.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:California Was Already in Home-Insurance Crisis Before Los Angeles Infernos (Wall Street Journal)California Reverse Jim Cramer (Not Jerome Powell via X)Fed's Bowman said December rate cut was 'last step' in 'policy recalibration' (Yahoo! Finance)Unemployment is above its 36-month moving average (Bravos Research via X)December jobs report shows unemployment fell to 4.1% (Yahoo! Finance)The Stress Less Guide To Managing Money (Men's Health)Classic Money Scripts (Your Mental Wealth Advisors)⚠️ 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.

🎧 What happens when a whole generation hits pause on adulthood? Chris and Saied are here to unpack the Wall Street Journal’s claim that millennials and Gen Z are stuck in “arrested development.” Spoiler: it’s not TikTok’s fault—try student loans, absurd housing costs, and a financial system that makes The Hunger Games look like a utopia.➡️ From child-free lifestyles to 38-year-old first-time homebuyers, the guys tackle the systemic issues behind these trends with their trademark mix of wit and wisdom. Plus, a little shade for everyone’s favorite buzzwords (“soft maxing,” anyone?) and a hilarious tale of Chris’s recent tech splurge. If adulting feels impossible, don’t worry—you’re not alone. 🏡📉💸💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:What Happens When a Whole Generation Never Grows Up? (Wall Street Journal)Current loan-to-value data in housing is 46.6% (Logan Mohtashami via X)The value of a home in America since 1924 (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.

Happy New Year! In this special year-end episode, Chris and Saied dive deep into the wild ride that was 2024, recapping the economy quarter by quarter with their signature mix of insight and banter. From the "pensive" start of the year where the Fed played cat-and-mouse with rate cuts to the real estate market's affordability crisis and the Magnificent Seven’s domination of Wall Street, this episode is packed with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster at an abandoned theme park. Whether it's debating AI's transformative potential, lamenting high mortgage rates, or pointing out the "Jersey Shore" dynamics of the Federal Reserve, Chris and Saied break it all down with wit, wisdom, and the occasional mocktail reference.➡️ As they toast to a new year (mocktail in hand), the duo doesn't shy away from discussing the highs and lows of 2024, from soaring office vacancies to spiraling service costs. And as tradition dictates, they leave you with a little financial humor to ring in 2025: "Remember, folks, economic resolutions are like gym memberships—great in theory, but it’s the follow-through that counts! Stay sharp, stay savvy, and don’t let inflation shrink your New Year’s champagne budget." Here's to another year of keeping it real, financial nerds. Cheers! 🥂💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:No links this week kids! The Higher Standard loves you. ⚠️ 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.

In this episode, Chris and Saied break down the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut, and let’s just say, it’s got everyone—from Wall Street to your wallet—feeling some kind of way. With a 25 basis point cut to the Fed Funds rate, inflation still refusing to play nice, and the bond market throwing a full-on tantrum, it’s clear: the Fed’s decisions are anything but boring. Oh, and don’t miss Chris’s hot take on how housing affordability has officially hit “you-can’t-make-this-up” levels of absurdity. Spoiler alert: the 10-year Treasury and your dreams of a lower mortgage rate aren’t on speaking terms.➡️ From the VIX spiking a jaw-dropping 74% to why shrinkflation has you paying more for less Doritos, the duo dives into why markets have gone wild. Is the Fed’s “data dependency” just another way of saying “we’re winging it”? And what does this all mean for you, dear listener? Whether you’re a seasoned investor or someone just trying to figure out why eggs are still so damn expensive, Chris and Saied deliver insights with their signature blend of smarts and sass. Tune in for all the juicy details, and remember, it’s not the size of the rate cut—it’s how you use it!💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:Fed cuts rates by quarter point, scales back cuts for 2025 (Yahoo! Finance)Summary of Economic Projections (Q4 2024) (The Federal Reserve)The $VIX spiked 74% higher today (Charlie Bilello via X)Where inflation is and isn't (Q4 2024) (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram)Jerome Powell doesn't see the stag or the flation (The Kobeissi Letter 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.

You know what they say – the first $100,000 is the hardest, and it feels like scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops. In this episode of *The Higher Standard*, Chris and Saied unpack why breaking that six-figure milestone is such a struggle and how even Charlie Munger (RIP) called it a "b*tch." But once you hit that $100K, things start compounding faster than your excuses for skipping leg day. It’s like flipping a switch to rocket toward $1 million – or so we tell ourselves between sweet cream nitros and existential dread.➡️ The boys also explore childhood money habits that might be sabotaging your wallet and dive into the *Case Shiller Index* to understand the warning signs of recessionary bubbles. From historical asset crashes to the 2008 housing crisis, they highlight why economic indicators are more than just fancy graphs. Saied’s expressions are priceless – equal parts shock, dread, and "I need a drink." So buckle up, hit play, and see if you’re on a path to wealth or just another bubble waiting to burst. Smash that like button, ring the bell, and remember: the road to wealth is paved with memes, mindset shifts, and maybe a little less avocado toast. 🥑💸💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:Robert Shiller and His CAPE Ratio (Gary Stone via X)Can the S&P 500’s CAPE Ratio Predict a Market Crash? (Charts)⚠️ 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.

Dive into the whirlwind of the economy with insights on the 2025 housing market predictions. Sun Belt cities are experiencing a rental rollercoaster, with forecasts swinging from optimistic booms to cautionary tales. Curious about the Federal Reserve's mysterious moves? It's all about balance—especially with mortgage rates on the rise. Unpack housing supply issues while exploring hilarious anecdotes on beauty standards and personal style. Tune in for a mix of humor, predictions, and economic realities you won't want to miss!

The podcast tackles the declining viability of the American Dream, revealing shocking statistics on homeownership costs and credit card debt. Hosts discuss how rising prices and stagnant wages are reshaping financial realities. They highlight the challenges of dual-income households and the historic downturn in mortgage applications. Amidst humor, they analyze consumer debt trends echoing past crises and the misleading nature of economic statistics. The conversation blends engaging anecdotes with critical insights, shedding light on navigating today’s economic landscape.

🎙️ In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take listeners on a rollercoaster ride through the land of leadership, stress, and... Whole Foods hot bars? 🍳 Yes, it’s that kind of episode.Starting with some playful banter about overpriced turmeric shots and parental leave policies (because Haroon is off becoming a “baby-making legend”), the hosts quickly shift gears to tackle the high-stakes world of corporate leadership. Chris gets real about his week of legal battles, emotional highs, and the unrelenting stress of balancing family life, work pressures, and the occasional existential crisis. All while trying to figure out if he’s genetically predisposed to being weak. (Thanks, 23andMe!)➡️ The duo dives deep into the art of authenticity, unpacking why being your true self at work and on social media is a game-changer in today’s hyperconnected world. From Chris defending the misunderstood GLP-1 weight loss meds to Saied advocating for tough morning workouts that reset your day, the conversation is as educational as it is entertaining.🔔 P.S. Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to be grateful for the little things—like when your grocery bill doesn’t require a loan.💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:What Are GLP-1 Medications? Understanding their use in weight loss and diabetes management (WebMD)Cortisol: The Stress Hormone. Learn how cortisol impacts stress and overall health (Mayo Clinic)Authentic Leadership: Exploring its impact on workplace culture and leadership dynamics (Harvard Business Review)Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: The role of EQ in building resilience and managing stress (Psychology Today)The Rise of the Slash Career: Balancing multiple career paths in a fast-evolving economy (Harvard Business Review)⚠️ 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.

In this episode, hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon tackle the behemoth that is U.S. government spending. With deficits skyrocketing 287% year-over-year and the national debt now exceeding $33 trillion, the hosts break down how this level of fiscal mismanagement impacts everything from mortgage rates to Social Security. They also delve into Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's bold new roles in the Department of Government Efficiency, dissecting what their proposed agency cuts mean for the average American. Spoiler: The Department of Education and IRS might be on the chopping block.➡️ As always, the conversation is packed with sharp humor and insightful analysis. Whether you're intrigued by the $250 billion deficit balloon in just one month, or curious about how Treasury bond issuance influences your car loan, this episode has you covered. By the end, you'll have a deeper understanding of why "balancing the budget" isn't just a catchy slogan—it's a necessity. Plus, a sprinkle of conspiracy theories and Musk's Dogecoin-inspired department name makes this one a must-listen. 💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review? 👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com🧊 Get 12% off any purchase at Ice Barrel (Excludes chillers)🔗 Resources:Deficit spending surges to $250 billion in one month (The Kobeissi Letter via X)What Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy could abolish in the name of government efficiency (Yahoo! Finance)Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy appointed to lead Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (CNN)Federal deficit reaches alarming new heights (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram)How government spending affects you (Yahoo! Finance via Instagram)Americans fall further behind on debts as household debt reaches all-time high (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.