The Macro Dirt Podcast

Markets enter a bruising month-end stretch as equities, commodities, momentum stocks, and technology suffer sharp declines. Falling yields raise fresh concerns about growth, while gold and silver face a painful reset. Semiconductors, copper, crypto, and AI demand all come under scrutiny, with crude oil, bonds, and technology downside shaping potential year-end trades.

Matt Ziegler, a culture commentator and music enthusiast, joins for a lively tour through songwriting and musical meaning. They explore romantic lyrics, mortality, depression, paranoia, and unforgettable anthems from Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Lana Del Rey, Elton John, and more. Ziegler also shares the surprising story behind “Dancing in the Moonlight,” while market debates cover bonds, AI optimism, oil, gold, and semiconductors.

Dylan Ratigan, journalist, author, and entrepreneur, joins a wide-ranging conversation on bond rallies, gold’s decline, and inflation as a hidden currency default and “ghost tax.” They explore affordability, structural reform, and the pressure on lower-income households. The discussion then shifts to life’s phases, personal reinvention, and the emotional power of songs from Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, Van Morrison, and beyond.

Rob Buccini, co-founder of Buccini Pollin Group, has helped build a multibillion-dollar real estate and hospitality portfolio. He discusses how higher rates, refinancing, tariffs, and energy costs reshape property economics across apartments, offices, hotels, and industrial assets. He also shares the story behind the Philadelphia Union’s stadium and academy, the role of leverage and liquidity, and his disciplined growth strategy.

Bonds, Treasury issuance, oil, gold, and the dollar take center stage as markets wrestle with inflation, geopolitics, and shifting sentiment. The conversation explores rotation beyond semiconductors, stretched AI valuations, natural-resource trades, and how midterm elections could reshape markets. It wraps with an unfiltered critique of the Yankees’ roster and leadership.

Chris Irons, founder of Quoth the Raven Research and author of QTR’s Fringe Finance, brings a skeptical eye to modern markets. They explore wealth inequality, bailouts, Silicon Valley Bank, rising bond yields, oil and gold, AI mania, zero-DTE options, and fragile equities. Chris also shares ideas for reviving Nike and reflects on Philadelphia sports, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, chess, and his writing routine.

Jeff Weniger, CIO at Corgi Invest and veteran ETF strategist, joins a wide-ranging discussion on bond pessimism, inflation’s everyday bite, oil and Iran, Bitcoin’s rebound, gold’s outlook, and technology’s bubble signals. They explore shifting allocations from ESG toward defense, nuclear power, and data centers, before turning to Yankees baseball and a memorable Pearl Jam festival.

Matt Zeigler, a writer and culture commentator behind Cultish Creative, joins a wide-ranging conversation on seven-percent mortgages, bond turmoil, oil and gold volatility, and the risks of macro trading. They explore AI’s strategic rise, surveillance concerns, technology’s market dominance, and preparing for geopolitical shocks. The discussion closes with songs that capture American life, uncertainty, and personal memory.

Peter Atwater, economist, author of The Confidence Map, and William & Mary professor, explores how certainty and control shape financial decisions and social mood. The conversation spans declining institutional authority, AI’s disconnect from everyday concerns, affordability, housing rates, oil and energy risks, weaponized markets, and the widening K-shaped economy. They also discuss higher education, mentoring, and finding hope beyond Wall Street.

Tony Greer and Jared Dillian explore a five-part investing strategy built around stocks, bonds, cash, gold, and real estate. They compare it with the traditional 60-40 mix, examine drawdowns and diversification, and discuss how financial psychology, FOMO, and existing home equity shape decisions. The conversation makes a case for simple portfolios, fewer sleepless nights, and getting rich slowly.