James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC® and Brandon West, CPA

15 Minutes of Finance

Business EN ↓ 215 episodes

15 Minutes of Finance is your quick, easy to understand take on markets, taxes, and making smarter financial decisions! The show is produced by West and Walters Tax and Wealth Management, an RIA and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West and Walters, each episode gives you clear, honest, and actionable financial talk in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee!

Author

James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC® and Brandon West, CPA

Category

Business

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

The Why Behind 15 Minutes of Finance 12.11.2025

In this milestone episode, Brandon and James share why this channel is different from most financial content online. Our goal isn’t hype, it’s help. We’re licensed professionals bringing real world experience in investing, taxes, wealth management, and financial literacy to help you make smarter money moves. Unlike most of what you see in the finance space, our insights come from the perspective o...

How Buffet Chooses Companies to Invest in and is he Really Waiting for a Market Crash? 06.11.2025

In this episode we break down the often misunderstood investment strategy of Warren Buffett, exploring why one of the greatest investors of all time continues to hold hundreds of billions of dollars in cash. We unpack the reasoning behind Berkshire Hathaway’s massive cash reserves, including historically high market valuations, the limited number of attractive investment opportunities within Buffe...

Market News Monday and an Exciting Week of Earnings! 03.11.2025

James covers market news and the hype around buffet retiring and where exactly you can find companies investments on their filing reports.

Why Stock Splits Are Bullish + Market News & a New Stock to Watch 01.11.2025

In this week’s episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, James breaks down the latest market news and explains why stock splits are usually a bullish signal for investors. He covers the psychology behind stock splits, why companies like Netflix have split shares in the past to make them more accessible, and why others such as Berkshire Hathaway choose never to split. James also highlights a new stock to w...

Case Study: How to Handle a Settlement. Spend, Save, or Invest? 27.10.2025

In this episode, Brandon and James walk through a real-life case study on how to handle a financial settlement the smart way. They break down how to decide what to spend, what to save, and what to invest to make the most of a one-time payout. You’ll learn the key mistakes people make after receiving a large sum, how taxes can impact your decisions, and practical strategies to turn a settlement int...

Case Study: A Real Client’s Insurance Policy Exposed 24.10.2025

In this episode, James and Brandon break down a real client’s insurance policy and reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly. They explain how this policy was sold as an “investment,” why that pitch is misleading, and what it actually means for the client’s long-term finances. You’ll learn how to spot common red flags, understand what makes good insurance versus bad insurance, and why insurance sold...

The One Big Beautiful Tax Bill (OBBB) Explained: Part 2 23.10.2025

In this episode, Brandon explains The One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for taxpayers in 2025 and beyond. This is Part 2 of a two part series where he walks through the most important tax changes, how they could affect your filing strategy, and what opportunities may exist for smarter tax planning. Whether you file on your own or work with a professional, this episode of 15 Minutes of Finan...

The One Big Beautiful Tax Bill (OBBB) Explained: Part 1 22.10.2025

In this episode, Brandon explains The One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for taxpayers in 2025 and beyond. This is Part 1 of a two part series where he walks through the most important tax changes, how they could affect your filing strategy, and what opportunities may exist for smarter tax planning. Whether you file on your own or work with a professional, this episode of 15 Minutes of Finan...

Market News Monday and Important Data This Week 20.10.2025

James breaks down the biggest events moving the markets this week, including major company earnings reports and key economic data like the CPI. Learn how inflation trends and corporate results are shaping investor sentiment and what it could mean for the weeks ahead.

Weekly Market Recap and Why Waiting is for Winners 17.10.2025

In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, James shares real life client situations and talks about the latest market news, highlighting why timing the market is one of the hardest challenges investors face. He explains how emotions, fear of missing out, and the temptation to wait for the right time can derail long term success. James also shares why staying invested, even during volatility, often...

"AI" Vs. the ".com Crash": 3 Key Differences + 1 Key Bonus Metric 16.10.2025

In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, host James Walters breaks down the three biggest differences between today’s AI boom and the dot-com crash of 2000. From Pets.com to ChatGPT, we explore how technology cycles evolve, why AI is fundamentally different, and what investors can learn from the last major tech mania. You’ll learn:-Why today’s AI leaders like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google are pro...

The Secrets of Getting Into the College of Your Dreams | Shellee Howard Interview 15.10.2025

In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, Brandon West interviews Shellee Howard, the CEO and founder of College Ready. They discuss the importance of early preparation for college, the competitive nature of college admissions, and the common mistakes parents and students make during the process. Shellee emphasizes the need for students to market themselves effectively and the importance of unders...

Market news Monday and why valuation does not tell the whole story 13.10.2025

In today’s episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down the latest market news and what investors should really watch for beneath the headlines. We dive into the forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, Explaining how current P/E is used to value stocks and why it can sometimes paint a misleading picture. James also tackles common misconceptions about valuation, including why a “high” P/E doesn’t...

Market Movers Friday and Why Growth Portfolios Must Rip on the Dip 10.10.2025

James breaks down what it really means to buy the dip when markets pull back and why staying invested matters more than timing every move. He explains the only four ways to build lasting wealth and why sitting on the sidelines is often the same as losing. This episode also covers today’s biggest market movers, key financial headlines, and what they mean for long-term investors. Whether you’re new...

Everyone's Scared of the AI Bubble but Ignoring the Private Equity Balloon 09.10.2025

Everyone’s worried about the AI bubble, but they’re missing the real balloon quietly inflating behind the scenes; private equity. Trillions in dry powder(cash on hand), overleveraged buyouts, and inflated valuations have turned the private markets into a ticking time bomb. While retail investors chase the next AI stock, institutional portfolios haven’t been marked to reality in years. High interes...

How to Profit Off AI Without Owning AI Companies 07.10.2025

James breaks down how investors can profit from the explosive growth of artificial intelligence without having to chase the biggest AI names. He explains the full AI ecosystem and how investing from the bottom of the funnel to the top can reduce risk, limit volatility, and remove the guesswork of trying to pick the ultimate AI winners. In this episode, you’ll learn how supporting companies that po...

A New Stock to Watch and Market News Monday 06.10.2025

Join us for this week’s Market News Monday! We’re breaking down the latest moves in the stock market, economic updates investors need to know, and one sleeping giant you probably haven’t heard enough about; Hippo Holdings (HIPO). Hippo is transforming the insurance technology space, and we’ll explain why this company could be one of the most undervalued growth stories in today’s market. From finan...

The Top Economic Indicator Every Investor Should Know 03.10.2025

In this episode, James helps viewers sift through the FUD created by clickbait titles and articles. He dives deep into leading economic indicators, particularly the PMI (Purchasing Managers Index), and explains how this often overlooked tool can help investors improve their analysis and sleep better at night.

The Supply Chain of AI Wealth and How Chips = Money in 2025 and Beyond 02.10.2025

James covers current events and news and breaks down the entire supply chain of chips and AI and how investors can make money on any point in the cycle.

The AI Bubble That Will Make Millionaires? 30.09.2025

In today’s episode of 15 Minutes of Finance , we cover the latest JOLTS data and what it signals about the strength of the labor market, the history and impact of government shutdowns on the economy, and the ongoing debate around artificial intelligence, highlighting why experts argue AI is still in an exponential growth phase and not a bubble.

Markets This Week and Insider Secrets on Taking Profits 26.09.2025

James covers market news and updates this week and discusses Intels rising path. He also dives deep into how professional money managers take profits for their clients and when YOU should take profits.

Insurance Industry Secrets: Ponzi Tactics That Cost You Money 25.09.2025

James takes viewers behind the curtain of the insurance profit machine. Discusses a very public fight on linked in and shows investors how they can avoid the insurance Ponzi Scheme.

Boom or Bust? Why Investors Win Either Way With AI 23.09.2025

James breaks down market news and the FUD regarding the “AI bubble”. He breaks down the concept of market bubbles and what they really mean in the latest episode of 15 minutes of finance 

Our Economy is Changing From Consumption to Production. Is Your Portfolio Prepared? 23.09.2025

Today James breaks down our current economy and the advantages of moving from a consumption economy to a production economy. He also explains the industries set to benefit the most from this change! 

The Rate Cut Recession Link and 9 Months of Stocks to Watch 23.09.2025

James dives into the last 10 of 12 recessions and what they’ve had in common with rate drops. He also looks in the mirror for each of his stock picks from 2025.

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