The Financial Exchange Show

38:33

AI, Stagflation & Social Media on Trial

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/26

Markets turned volatile after renewed geopolitical tensions pushed oil higher and stocks lower.Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down what’s driving today’s selloff, from rising Treasury yields and climbing gas prices to fresh concerns about inflation and growth.In this hour:Why “stagflation” headlines may be prematureThe real impact of higher rates on bonds and mortgage costsMeta and YouTube hit with major legal setbacksInvestors rotating toward cash — or are they?AI’s growing influence, from

en

38:32

The Most Powerful Force Moving Markets Right Now

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/26

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down the biggest driver behind today’s market moves — and why recent investor psychology may be preventing markets from properly pricing risk.With the Middle East conflict nearing the four-week mark, the Strait of Hormuz still largely closed, and energy markets reacting minute-by-minute to headlines, the question isn’t just what’s happening — it’s how markets are responding.In this hour:Why markets may be more afraid of missing upside than pricing downsideWhether

en

38:32

Gas Prices Climb. Housing Stalls. Can Air Travel Get...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/25

Markets rebound as optimism grows around Middle East negotiations—but energy markets remain under pressure and gas prices are creeping higher.In this hour, Chuck and Paul discuss:Whether gas prices are headed toward $5 a gallonWhy the spring housing market is already losing momentumMortgage applications falling just as buying season ramps upWhat rising rates mean for homebuildersWhy the ultra-wealthy are having a bigger impact on prices everywhereThe mounting headaches in air travel—and whether

en

38:32

Oil Shock, Recession Odds & Life Estate Pitfalls

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/25

Markets are rallying—but energy markets remain under serious strain as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global oil supply.Chuck and Paul break down:The real impact of a partially closed Strait of HormuzWhy oil prices are swinging—and what it means for inflationWall Street’s rising “recession odds” (and why those predictions may not be worth much)Early price pressure showing up in key industriesPlus, in Ask Todd, Todd Lutsky explains the critical differences between life estates and

en

15:53

Ask Todd: Life Estates vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/25

On this week’s Ask Todd, Todd Lutsky breaks down the real differences between life estates and irrevocable trusts — and why the “quick fix” solution isn’t always the best one.Todd explains:How much control you actually give up with a life estateWhy irrevocable Medicaid trusts are often used to protect assets from long-term care costsThe five-year lookback rule and what it means for nursing home planningCapital gains consequences when selling property held in a life estateWhat happens when a parent

en

38:13

Only 5% Off the Highs — Are Markets Ignoring the Risk?

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/24

Markets swing again as oil pushes toward $91 and the 10-year yield climbs, yet stocks remain just 5% below their pre-war highs. Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane ask whether investors are underestimating the geopolitical and energy risks in front of them.They break down:Why volatility hasn’t translated into deeper equity lossesThe deteriorating outlook for young and college-educated workersCFO warnings that AI is coming for administrative jobsWhy timing “the worst 10 days” in markets is a fantasyHow

en

38:32

Markets on Edge: Iran Headlines, Oil Shocks & the...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/24

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane break down another volatile morning in markets as conflicting headlines out of Iran whipsaw stocks and oil. With the Strait of Hormuz still disrupted, they explain why actions—not statements—are what really matter for investors.They dive into the real economic risk: a potential “dual shock” of slowing growth and rising prices. Is stagflation back on the table? And are U.S. recessions really becoming less frequent—or are investors just forgetting what downturns feel

en

38:32

Markets Surge on Iran Pause — But Will the Ships Move?

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/23

Markets rallied sharply after President Trump announced a five-day pause on planned U.S. strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure. But as conflicting messages emerge from Tehran, Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong ask the only question that really matters for the global economy: when will ships resume normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz?They break down the market reaction, why oil and diesel prices remain a key risk, and how rising transportation costs could filter into inflation in the

en

38:32

Markets Whipsaw as Iran Headlines Trigger Massive Swing

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/23

Futures were down sharply overnight—until a single Truth Social post sent markets soaring. Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down the stunning swing for the S&P after President Trump announced a delay in potential U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.What do we actually know about negotiations with Iran? Is this real de-escalation—or just fog-of-war messaging? The guys dig into the only signal that truly matters for markets: whether ships start moving again through the Strait of

en

38:32

Oil Surges, Bonds Sell Off, and the Fed’s No-Win Dilemma

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/20

Markets are under pressure as oil climbs toward $100, bond yields spike globally, and gas prices near $4 a gallon. Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down why this isn’t a “Sell America” trade—but a worldwide bond selloff—and what it means for stocks, mortgages, and the broader economy.The guys debate the Fed’s toughest question: what happens if unemployment rises while inflation stays elevated? With central banks unable to “print oil,” policymakers may be forced to choose between fighting

en

38:31

Oil at $180? The Strait of Hormuz Enters a Dangerous...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/20

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down day 21 of the Strait of Hormuz shutdown and why the real economic damage may just be beginning. With oil trading near $160 a barrel in parts of the Middle East, the guys explain why global benchmarks could surge if the conflict drags on — and why Saudi Arabia is now floating $180 oil as a real possibility.They discuss fuel shortages in Asia, shipping disruptions, refinery slowdowns, and what sustained energy stress could mean for markets, inflation, and

en

38:31

Oil Shock, AI Hiring Chaos & The Gen X Moment

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/19

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down another volatile day on Wall Street as oil prices surge, gas climbs toward $4 nationally, and markets wrestle with the real-world economic risks of the Iran conflict.The guys dig into what sustained energy disruptions could mean for global supply chains, food production, and inflation — and why some strategists say investors may be underestimating the risks.Plus, a fascinating look at how AI-generated resumes are slowing down hiring, why Gen X is quietly

en

38:32

Energy Shock: Is This the Breaking Point for the...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/19

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong focus on the escalating Middle East conflict and why the economic fallout could last far longer than the fighting itself. With reported damage to LNG infrastructure tied to the world’s largest natural gas field, the potential loss of global supply is no longer theoretical.The guys break down what losing a meaningful percentage of the world’s LNG capacity could mean for Southeast Asia, global shipping, fertilizer, aluminum, and manufacturing supply chains. They also

en

38:33

What Is the Most Powerful Force Moving Markets Right...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/18

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti break down a rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East after reports that Israel targeted facilities tied to the world’s largest natural gas field. Oil prices surged, equity markets reversed, and investors were forced to recalibrate risk in real time.The guys examine what the energy shock means for inflation, the Federal Reserve’s next move, and whether higher oil prices could embed inflation expectations once again. They also discuss the widening spread between

en

37:40

Oil Shock, Escalation in the Middle East & The Hidden...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/18

Markets were hit with fresh volatility after reports of an attack on the world’s largest natural gas field, sending oil prices sharply higher and raising new concerns about global energy supply. Chuck and Mark break down what this escalation means for crude markets, LNG infrastructure, inflation, and the broader economy—along with a hotter-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) report that could complicate the Fed’s path forward.Todd Lutsky joins for Ask Todd to explain why life estates can create

en

16:16

Ask Todd: Life Estates vs. Trusts; What You Don’t...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/18

On this week’s Ask Todd, Todd Lutsky explains why life estates can create serious tax, creditor, and control problems—and why an irrevocable trust is often the better solution for protecting your home.He also answers listener questions on updating a revocable trust in your 90s, protecting rental property from the five-year lookback, and what happens when your assets grow beyond the Massachusetts estate tax exemption.Download Todd’s free guide, The Calculating the Consequences of a Life Estate, to

en

38:32

Is This the Setup for a Recession? Markets Stay Calm...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/17

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti examine whether markets are underestimating growing recession risks.With oil prices climbing amid escalating tensions involving Iran, historically high equity valuations, stubborn inflation, and renewed concerns in private credit, Mike and Marc ask a critical question: Are investors too complacent?In this episode, they break down:• How rising energy prices could slow growth and reignite inflation• Why elevated stock valuations leave little room for error• The

en

38:33

Are Higher Gas Prices About to Push the U.S. Into...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/17

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti break down the growing economic fallout from the war in Iran as oil prices surge and recession risks climb.With gas prices jumping sharply and diesel and jet fuel costs rising, Mike and Marc examine:• How higher energy prices act like a tax on consumers• Why Moody’s warns a recession may be hard to avoid• The return of “stagflation” — and what it really means• Whether the Federal Reserve can look past an oil-driven inflation spike• How rising fuel costs could ripple

en

38:33

AI Arms Race, $50K Cars & The Retirement Tax Trap

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/16

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong kick off the week with markets rebounding ahead of a critical Fed meeting — even as oil prices remain volatile and gas prices continue climbing.In this hour:• Can Nvidia maintain its dominance as AI shifts from training to inference?• Why $50,000 cars — and sky-high financing rates — are stretching Americans to the limit• The “tax bill” hiding inside your 401(k) and how required minimum distributions can surprise retirees• Why Roth conversions aren’t one-size-fits-all•

en

38:33

Oil Shock Deepens as Fed Faces War-Driven Inflation...

The Financial Exchange Show ·

2026/03/16

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down the mounting economic fallout from the Iran conflict, now entering its third week, as energy markets tighten and global supply gaps widen.With the Strait of Hormuz largely restricted, the hosts examine:• The growing daily oil supply deficit and what it means for prices• Why spot energy prices are surging beyond futures markets• Early warning signs of jet fuel and shipping disruptions• The risk of renewed global supply chain stress• How rising energy costs

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

The Business Times Podcasts

The Business Times

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...

The Financial Exchange Show

The Financial Exchange Network